Husband And Wife Sentenced For Manufacturing Child Pornography

NEW BERN – United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that in federal court today, BAILEY JOE MILLS, 34and his wife, ELIZABETH MILLS, 35, both of Lillington, North Carolina, were sentenced before United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan.  BAILEY JOE MILLS received 45 years imprisonment followed by a lifetime term of supervised release. ELIZABETH MILLS received 16 years imprisonment followed by 10 year supervised release. Both are required to register as sex offenders.

On June 12, 2014, a Criminal Information was filed charging BAILEY JOE MILLS with manufacturing child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2251(a) and (d).  ELIZABETH MILLS was charged by Criminal Complaint on October 20, 2014, with aiding and abetting the manufacturing of child pornography.  Both pled guilty to their charges on August 12, 2014, and November 12, 2014, respectively.

According to the investigation, in January, 2014, an investigation was initiated relating to the sexual abuse of a 12-year-old.  Law enforcement learned that BAILEY JOE MILLS had also sexually abused at least 10 other minors and that he had paid several of the minors to have sex with himself and other men. 

As the investigation continued, a search warrant was executed on the MILLS’ residence in Harnett County, where multiple computers, cellular phones and media storage devices were seized.  Forensic examination of the cellular phones and computers revealed a multiple of still images and videos depicting the minors engaged in prohibited sexual conduct produced by BAILEY JOE MILLS with the assistance of his wife, ELIZABETH MILLS.      

Investigation of this case was conducted by the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Homeland Security/Homeland Security Investigations.  Assistant United States Attorney Ethan Ontjes prosecuted the case for the United States.

This case was part of the Project Safe Childhood initiative, a national program aimed at ensuring that criminals exploiting children are effectively prosecuted by making full use of all available law enforcement resources at every level.  For more information about this important national project, Project Safe Childhood, go to www.projectsafechildhood.gov.