James Edward Moss, Jr., a 40-year-old resident of Myrtle Beach, has been sentenced to 55 months in federal prison after being convicted of transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. The sentencing was handed down by United States District Judge Joseph Dawson, III.
According to evidence presented during the investigation, Moss met a minor online in April 2022. He then picked up the minor and took her to a hotel room where he engaged in sexual activity with her. Investigators found that between April 20 and April 23, 2022, Moss recorded several videos of himself engaging in sexual acts with the minor.
Following his prison term, Moss will be subject to ten years of court-ordered supervision and is required to register as a sex offender. There is no parole available under the federal system. Additionally, Moss has been ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution to the victim.
The case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative started by the U.S. Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse by coordinating efforts among federal, state, and local agencies. More information about this initiative can be found at http://www.justice.gov/psc.
The FBI Columbia field office and Horry County Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Hummel and Bill Watkins prosecuted the case.
