Douglas Hindman of Jackson was one of 12 men snagged in a perverted justice sting in July of 2006. Originally charged with Felony Child Exploitation, on October 5th of this year he ended up pleading guilty to Felony Cyberstalking.
State law says a Cyberstalking first offense carries a penalty of not more than two years in prison, and/or a fine of not more than $5,000. Penalties for first-offense Child Exploitation are tougher: 2-20 years in prison and/or a fine of not more than $50,000.
Hindman has been handed a two-year suspended prison sentence and 5 years probation... no prison time. He must pay a $5,000 fine and $5,000 to a crime victims fund. The child exploitation charge was remanded to his file and, according to the circuit clerk's office, could be brought up if he gets in trouble again.
Captain Henry Glaze played a big role in the sting. We asked him if he expected all of those arrested and convicted to do time behind bars. "I don't have an expectation. Our job was to set the sting up, do the operation," he says.
Don't expect to see Hindman on the sex offender registry. "That particular crime to which he pled guilty does not require being registered as a sex offender. It is a felony, he is a convicted felon, but it is not a sex crime," Glaze says.
Hinds County District Attorney Faye Peterson couldn't be reached for comment on Hindman's plea.
Three more of the 12 arrested will be tried in Hinds County. David Pillow has been indicted and should go to trial soon. Johnny Oliver Smith and Richard Kulch, a FEMA employee from Florida, have not yet been indicted. Their computers are still being examined at the Attorney General's office. It's unclear whether Laurence Morris of Brookhaven will be tried in Hinds or Lincoln County.
