Last Wednesday, Thank You Jesus Yard Sign founder Lucas Timothy Hunt pleaded guilty to a felony charge of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor in Randolph County, N.C.

Hunt agreed to enter a plea deal and is sentenced to 36 months of supervised probation. He is now required to register as a sex offender and provide a sample of his DNA to law enforcement.

Hunt was arrested in February 2025 on charges of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor after a brief investigation by the Invictus Task Force uncovered a pornographic video of two children in his possession after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

In the state of North Carolina, the difference between third-degree and second-degree sexual exploitation of minors is one of possession versus creation and solicitation.

Third-degree charges imply the accused simply possessed material containing “a visual representation of a minor engaging in sexual activity.” Those convicted of third-degree child exploitation charges are often able to avoid jailtime by agreeing to probation.

Second-degree child exploitation charges punish those who produce and/or distribute child sexual abuse materials, often with jail time. Both classes of offenders must register as sex offenders for a 30-year period, and the charges cannot be expunged from their criminal record.

Read More: Founder of ‘Thank You Jesus’ yard signs pleads guilty