A former policeman from Bruce and part-time volunteer firefighter was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison on Tuesday morning for possessing child sexual abuse materials.

Following a sentencing hearing in Oxford, U.S. District Judge Sharion Aycock ordered Corey Harrelson to serve 121 months in prison, followed by a term of supervised release of 5 years. Harrelson was also ordered to make restitution payments of $3,500 to each of eight known victims, for a total of $28,000.

According to court documents, he possessed computer files containing images and videos of minors, including prepubescent children, engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Harrelson possessed files of more than 80 known child victims.

“Today’s sentence should serve as a stark reminder that those who possess images of the sexual abuse of children will face significant punishment in federal court, regardless of their job or status,” said U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner.  “I would like to thank the FBI and the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office for their assistance in this investigation, and for their continued commitment to put defendants like this one behind bars.”

Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch said, “I am proud of my team for their hard work investigating this horrific crime and grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for securing this sentence. While this conviction does not turn back the clock, it prevents this predator from inflicting more harm, and it is my hope and prayer that the closure of this case helps these victims find peace and healing.”

“Safeguarding our society’s future begins with protecting underage citizens in our community from vile individuals like, Corey Harrelson,” remarked Jackson Mississippi Resident FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Maher Dimachkie. “Those who commit these heinous crimes against our youth will not be tolerated. The FBI and the DOJ maintain a commitment to protect our communities by aggressively investigating and protecting the innocence of our minors, assuring offenders are brought to justice. “

The FBI and Mississippi Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Roberts prosecuted the case.