NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A dozen people are facing felony charges and two dozen victims have been identified in a large-scale, collaborative operation to target online child exploitation and sextortion in Tennessee, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said in a release.
According to TBI, over the last three months, its Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force managed "Operation Protecting Tomorrow," with work extending to 21 counties in the state and involving almost 20 local, state and federal law enforcement authorities.
The purpose of "Operation Protecting Tomorrow" is to identify and locate children who were victims of sextortion and online sexual exploitation, along with identifying and arresting those who aim to harm children online, TBI said.
You can watch TBI's full news conference on the operation here.
The investigations started from cyber tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, undercover investigations and tips from the community.
During the operation, the TBI ICAC Task Force identified and located 18 known child victims of sextortion in the state who were reported through NCMEC cybertips reported from several social media platforms, including Snapchat and Instagram.
One child victim was identified and located in Alabama. TBI agents are still attempting to identify and locate an additional 22 children who are victims of sextortion, ages 11 to 17.
As part of the operation, TBI agents executed 10 residential search warrants throughout Tennessee, obtaining 181 electronic devices and one child sex doll.
While going through the devices, more than 264,000 images and videos of "child sexual abuse material" were found, according to TBI. Agents expect the number of images and videos to grow as the examination of evidence continues.
Five of the 24 child victims were identified and rescued as victims of brand-new sexual exploitation content being created by the offender and shared on social media platforms, TBI said.
The following individuals were arrested during "Operation Protecting Tomorrow" and charged with sexual exploitation of children and other related offenses:
- John Vincent, 53, Murfreesboro: 2 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor
- Courtney Staggs, 29, Jamestown: 1 count of aggravated rape of a child, 1 count of aggravated sexual battery, 6 counts of especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor and 6 counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor
- Cody Wilson, 31, Columbia: 1 count of solicitation of a minor and 1 count of soliciting sexual exploitation of a minor – exploitation of a minor by electronic means
- Kyle Shaddon, 28, Paris: 3 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor
- Justin Farris, 41, Paris: 1 count of especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor and 1 count of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor
- Marcus Puryear, 47, Somerville: 20 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and 20 counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor
- Shawn Steven, 32, Decatur: 5 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor
- Cody Gunter, 29, Niota: 1 count of sexual exploitation of a minor and 1 count of solicitation of a minor
- Johnathan Curtis, 32, McMinnville: 1 count of sexual exploitation of a minor
- Clifton Johnston, 38, McMinnville: 1 count of sexual exploitation of a minor
- Garry Alford, 42, McMinnville: 1 count of sexual exploitation of a minor
- Ernest Brown, 45, Paris: 6 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and 2 counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor
“The massive volume of vile images and videos our agents uncovered – and the number of suspects identified, and victims helped during this operation – should trouble every Tennessean,” TBI Director David Rausch said. “The internet is a dangerous place, full of predators looking for their next young victim. We’re doing our part at TBI, but every parent, grandparent, and caregiver must also be vigilant. Help your children know the dangers and know what to do if they’re scared, confused, or asked to do the wrong thing online.”
More arrests may be forthcoming in this operation once complete forensic processing of the seized electronic devices has occurred.
TBI has information about online dangers, sextortion and common-sense tips for the public on its website here.
Parents and caregivers looking for resources aimed at helping children develop online safety skills should visit the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s website here.
If you have inforamtion about these cases or other cases of online child exploitation, you can call the TBI Tipline at 1-800-TBI-FIND, email tipstotbi@tbi.tn.gov or report via the NCMEC CyberTipline at cybertipline.org.