A federal jury has convicted Jarrod Sanford, 43, from Covington, on multiple child pornography charges. The United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Tennessee announced the verdict, stating that Sanford, who had previously been convicted of a sex offense, was found guilty of production and possession of child pornography, and committing a felony offense against a minor while he was still required to register as a sex offender.
Reports confirm that between July and November of the previous year, Sanford used a cell phone to capture images of himself raping a 13-year-old child. Following a child rape report on November 19, 2023, Tipton County Sheriff's office deputies responded and managed to promptly recover the phone from Sanford's place of residence. It was with the help of the FBI Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force that the encryption on the phone was bypassed, and photos taken by Sanford during earlier abusive acts were found.
The FBI, alongside the United States Probation Office for the Western District of Tennessee and the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office, conducted the case investigation. The jury trial, which lasted four days, concluded with Sanford's conviction on July 25, 2024. DNA evidence collected also conclusively matched Sanford to the crimes committed against the young victim.
Sanford now faces a significant prison sentence ranging from 35 to 70 years, with an additional penalty of up to five years for violation of supervised release. There is no chance for parole under the federal system, according to the Department of Justice statement. The upcoming sentencing hearing is set to occur before United States District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker on October 31, 2024.
United States Attorney Kevin Ritz extended his gratitude towards Assistant United States Attorneys Lauren Delery and Lynn Crum for prosecuting the case, as well as the diligent effort of the law enforcement partners involved in the investigation. The full statement can be found on the Department of Justice website.
