Evans child sex trafficker sentenced; all involved in case incarcerated
The child sex trafficking case of an Evans man has come to a close. Michael Peyton Gunn, 37, was sentenced Tuesday to three life sentences in federal prison.
The case began in February 2020 when federal agents in a Texas child pornography investigation discovered 700 photos of an individual minor produced at Gunn's Evans address. A search of the home uncovered evidence that Gunn, with the aid of his then-wife, Amanda Gunn, had committed child sex trafficking.
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According to a press release by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Georgia, the victim testified during the trial that Gunn "employed rewards, fear, threats of harm, physical abuse, and intimidation to psychologically manipulate and sexually abuse the victim as young as age 7." The young victim was coerced into participating in child pornography and, eventually, sex trafficking.
Jonathan Grantham, who was convicted of child sexual exploitation of the victim, also testified at the trial. The former Aiken County teacher admitted to responding to Gunn's online advertisement. In January 2022 he was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison.
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In November 2021, a U.S. District Court jury found Gunn guilty of Conspiracy to Engage in Sex Trafficking of a Minor; Sex Trafficking of a Child; Coercion and Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity; four counts of Production of Child Pornography; Possession of Child Pornography; and Obstruction of a Sex-Trafficking Investigation.
In addition to his three life sentences without parole, U.S. District Court Chief Judge J. Randal Hall also ordered Gunn to pay $800,000 in restitution, register as a sex offender, and, in the event that he is released, be under supervision for life.
Amanda Gunn, 35, pleaded guilty to Sex Trafficking Conspiracy in November 2021. Her sentencing, which includes a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, is expected imminently.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Evans man sentenced to 3 life sentences in child sex trafficking case
