CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — As the FBI continues to look for potential child sexual abuse victims committed by an indicted man from Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, we learned on Monday he’s also accused of crimes in Alabama.

Authorities tell us the criminal cases for James Thompson in Alabama are on hold while the FBI pursues its case in Tennessee.

Friday a Knoxville federal grand jury released a 3-count indictment for 71-year-old James Thompson on the charges of 2nd-degree sexual abuse and sodomy.

The indictment says Thompson transported boys across state lines to engage in criminal sexual activity.

The FBI says victims would be boys between the ages of 10 and 15, and may have been involved in various youth wrestling and hunting programs.

The assaults could have happened during the 1990s up to the present day, the FBI says.

Abuse experts tell us it’s all too common for victims to keep their stories of abuse quiet.

As the years pass and as the victims get older, some gain the courage to step forward, according to Alicia Roper, Deputy Director of the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect and Prevention.

The most important thing is to think about how your story may help someone else, and how, if you’re brave, and we believe you, and as you come forward, this is something that can help prevent another child from going through some similar situation that you’ve been in.

Roper says in Alabama there are over 11,000 victims of child abuse, but says abuse is underreported so current statistics cold actually be much larger than they are.

Thompson appeared in court Friday and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

If convicted, the DOJ says Thompson faces a maximum term of 15 years in prison, up to a $350,000 fine, and 3 years on supervised release.

We reached out to Thompson’s attorney, Lee Davis, for comment. If and when he responds, we’ll add that response to this story.If you believe you have been a victim of James Thompson or suspect someone who has, the FBI asks you contact their Chattanooga office at (423) 265-3601 or report it here.