Athens Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for Distributing Child Pornography

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - A sex offender has been sentenced for distributing and possessing child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Catherine L. Crosby.

U.S. District Judge Corey L. Maze sentenced Hunter William Bell, also known as "amWoos," 29, of Athens, Alabama, to 216 months in prison followed by a 20-year term of supervised release. In December 2025, Bell pleaded guilty to distribution and possession of child pornography.

"This sentence ensures yet another child predator has been removed from our community and can no longer pose a threat to our children," said Acting U.S. Attorney Catherine Crosby. "We are grateful for the dedicated work of our federal and state law enforcement partners in bringing this defendant to justice."

"This sentencing underscores the FBI's dedication to seeking justice for our children," said David R. Fitzgibbons, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Birmingham. "Along with our partners, we have ensured that one less predator is able to victimize the most innocent and vulnerable members of our community. We will continue to devote every available resource to identifying and stopping those who exploit our children."

According to the plea agreement, on August 16, 2024, FBI's Oklahoma City Field Office (FBI OC) executed a federal search warrant at an individual's residence. During the search, the individual's electronic devices were seized. A review of the electronic devices revealed child pornography being exchanged via the Kik messenger application between the individual and Bell. In October 2024, the FBI OC sent an investigative lead to the FBI's Birmingham Field Office. A search warrant was obtained for Bell's Kik account revealing his account was used to distribute pornography. On January 14, 2025, FBI agents arrested Bell at his home. Agents seized an Apple iPhone containing more than 600 images of child pornography.

If you suspect or become aware of possible sexual exploitation of a child, please contact law enforcement. To alert the FBI Birmingham Office, call 205-326-6166. Reports can also be filed with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) or online at https://www.cybertipline.orgLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link..

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.projectsafechildhood.govLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link..

The FBI along with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John M. Hundscheid and Sara M. Judah prosecuted the case.