Christopher Michael Alexander, 32, of Gilbert, was sentenced to 23 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to attempted enticement of a minor for sexual activity, to be followed by a lifetime of supervision and registration as a sex offender.

According to evidence presented in Court, on May 19, 2022, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Secret Service (USSS), South Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, and Mount Pleasant Police Department participated in an online chat operation targeting child sex offenders, where an officer posed as a 13-year-old female. That day, Alexander engaged in sexually explicit conversations with the alleged 13-year-old female as well as sent and requested sexually explicit photographs through various social media applications and text messages. Alexander ultimately traveled to the residence where he believed the 13-year-old lived to engage in sexual activities with her. At that time, he was arrested.

Evidence presented in Court indicated Alexander made admissions to law enforcement that he previously engaged in numerous occasions of the sexual battery of minors. Alexander admitted that he had previously digitally penetrated at least 25 infants on hundreds of occasions as well as digitally penetrated another minor child approximately six times a day for weeks.

Senior United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten sentenced Alexander to 23 years in federal prison, to be followed by a lifetime of court-ordered supervision, and Alexander will have to register as a sex offender after release. There is no parole in the federal system.

The FBI, U.S. Secret Service, South Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, and Mount Pleasant Police Department participated in the online chat operation. The case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Elle E. Klein prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.