Lebanon sex offender sentenced for secretly recording minor

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A sex offender from Lebanon, Indiana, has been sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for secretly recording a minor.

Douglas Gibson, 40, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a minor and committing a felony offense while required to register as a sex offender.

According to court documents, between 2018 and 2021, Gibson gained access to a child, who was born in 2011. During that time, Gibson placed hidden cameras in the child’s bedroom and bathroom shower drain to secretly record her while showering and getting changed. Gibson then saved images and videos depicting the child in various stages of nudity to his laptop. Gibson also distributed and possessed images of videos of other unknown prepubescent children engaged in sexually explicit conduct on his laptop.

These files were uploaded and shared with other users on a social media platform through private chat rooms.

Gibson is a convicted sex offender, and he was required to register from at least September 2011 to September 2021 due to his 2010 conviction of sexual misconduct of a minor (intercourse) in Boone County.

“Simply put, Douglas Gibson is a danger to children,” said Tom Wheeler, united states attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “A child’s home should be a sanctuary of safety and love. Instead, this sick abuser took advantage of a child’s vulnerability to sexually exploit them and invade their safety and dignity. The sentence imposed here will ensure that our children are protected from this defendant for decades to come.”

“The exploitation of children is one of the most serious crimes we investigate. This sentence makes clear there are severe consequences for those who attempt to harm or exploit children,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “The FBI will continue to work tirelessly with our partners to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities.”

“The investigation symbolizes how collaborative efforts of the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force alongside its local, state, and federal partners create a powerful force that is more effective in protecting vulnerable populations than any single entity could be on its own,” said a spokesperson with Indiana ICAC.

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