A Shelby County resident has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for attempted enticement of a minor and possession of child pornography. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona.
Justin Warren Lindstrom, 43, from Sterrett, Alabama, received his sentence from U.S. District Court Judge Madeline H. Haikala. In April, Lindstrom pleaded guilty to the charges and will be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. Following his prison term, he will serve a life term of supervised release.
“Thanks to the collaborative efforts or our dedicated law enforcement partners and prosecutors, we have removed yet another child predator from our community,” said U.S. Attorney Escalona. “Today’s sentence ensures he can no longer pose a threat to our most vulnerable – our children. My office remains committed to protecting children and holding those who seek to harm them fully accountable.”
“This sentencing confirms that the FBI and our partners will stop at nothing to protect our children from predators who seek to exploit them,” said David R. Fitzgibbons, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Birmingham. “Together, we have ensured one less predator is victimizing the most innocent and vulnerable members of our community.”
According to court documents, an undercover officer posed as a 15-year-old girl on a social media application in November 2023. Lindstrom responded and later arrived at a park in Vestavia Hills intending to engage in sexual activity with a minor. He was arrested by Vestavia Hills police officers during a traffic stop. Authorities subsequently obtained a search warrant and found child pornography in one of Lindstrom’s email accounts.
The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative started by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at fighting child sexual exploitation and abuse by coordinating federal, state, and local resources (https://www.projectsafechildhood.gov/). The investigation involved the FBI along with the Vestavia Hills Police Department and Homewood Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel S. McBrayer prosecuted the case.
Anyone suspecting child sexual exploitation is encouraged to contact law enforcement or file reports with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.cybertipline.org or call the FBI Birmingham Office at 205-326-6166.
