Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty To Human Trafficking And Production Of Child Pornography

Jackson, Miss - Jemery Hodges, 26, a Jackson native residing in Cambridge, Massachusetts, pled guilty in federal court today to human trafficking of a minor child and the production of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis and Raymond R. Parmer, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of ICE Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans.

At today’s hearing, Hodges admitted that he traveled to Mississippi for the purpose of engaging in sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 10 years old. Hodges also admitted that he produced videos of himself engaging in sexually explicit conduct with the child.

The investigation of this case began when the Cambridge, Massachusetts Police Department received information about illegal sexual activities conducted in Mississippi and the production of videos depicting sexual intercourse with a child. The Cambridge Police Department contacted the Department of Homeland Security (“HSI”) in Atlanta who worked with HSI in Jackson to conduct the investigation leading to the identity of the minor child in the videos. Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenda Haynes is prosecuting the case.

“The sexual abuse of children is absolutely horrific,” said United States Attorney Gregory K. Davis, “I commend the law enforcement agents who worked tirelessly on the investigation of this case. We will continue to aggressively prosecute offenders who victimize innocent children.”

“Today’s guilty plea results from a monumental effort by HSI and its law enforcement partners to identify and rescue an innocent child from unspeakable abuse,” said HSI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Raymond R. Parmer Jr. “Sexual predators destroy lives and pose a threat to children everywhere. HSI will continue to investigate and seek prosecution of these dangerous criminals to make our communities a safer place.” Parmer oversees a five-state region including Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.