Fifth Circuit Affirms Former Amory School Teacher's Conviction and 192 Year Sentence for Abusing Students

NEW ORLEANS, La. - The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has affirmed the conviction and sentence of Toshemie Wilson, 50, a former educator in the Amory School District who was sexually abusing students over a ten year period. Wilson was found guilty of eight counts of sexual exploitation of children by a federal jury to which he was given 24 years for each count by United States Chief Judge Debra M. Brown.

Testimony at trial revealed that the defendant exploited his students for his sexual pleasure. Seven victims testified at trial that the abuse spanned from 2007 until at least 2016. The conduct was exposed by one former student coming forward to report the conduct.

Wilson challenged several aspects of the trial including his argument that he did not produce the child exploitation material for anything but to "conduct scientific research." The Fifth Circuit dismissed that argument and stated that the jury "evidently believed the victims." Wilson will continue to serve the remainder of his 192-year sentence at a federal prison.

The investigation was a joint effort by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Mississippi Attorney General's Office, and many state and local officers.

United States Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi, Scott F. Leary, made the announcement. Additionally, Leary said "Our motto, found on the Mississippi Coat-of-Arms, is the Latin phrase "Virtute et Armis" - Virtue and Arms. Virtue is a trait of character exhibiting inner strength and personal integrity, resulting in morally good conduct. The Latin phrase "armis" refers to military equipment and is often used in phrases indicating force. As citizens of this great country, we must vigilantly protect the vulnerable from injustice, at times through "Armis". No self-respecting nation should ever submit to wrongs committed against its children. In this case a victim came forward and courageously reported this crime. State and federal authorities then worked together and ended a reign of terror perpetrated by a predator teacher. A 192-year sentence is justice. Hopefully the victims of this crime can move on with their lives knowing justice was served. The Mississippi Attorney General's Office and the FBI did an excellent job investigating this case. Our prosecutors are pros, convicting the defendant at trial and seeing the case through appeal. Well done all."

Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jackson Field Office Robert Eikhoff said, "The justice system got it right. Wilson's conviction highlights the FBI's and our law enforcement partners' unwavering commitment to protecting minors from predators. Those who exploit positions of trust to harm children will be held accountable."

"This case serves as a reminder that those who abuse positions of trust will be prosecuted to the fullest extent," said Attorney General Lynn Fitch. "We are grateful for the Court's decision to uphold this conviction. Thank you to the U.S. Attorney's Office for their partnership and diligent work on this case. My hope is that these victims and their families can move forward and find healing."

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Parker S. King and Clyde McGee prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.