An Ooltewah man, identified as Dewayne Douglas Price, Jr., 42, has been sentenced to 32 years in prison for heinous crimes involving the sexual exploitation of minors. The sentencing took place in Chattanooga at the United States District Court, where Chief Judge Travis R. McDonough presided. After serving his sentence, Price will be subject to lifelong supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender and comply with special conditions for sex offenders.
According to details of the plea agreement, first reported by the U.S. Department of Justice, Price pled guilty to an array of charges on February 23, 2024. The charges include two counts of the exploitation of minors, the receipt of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. Price’s criminal plea acknowledges the deeply disturbing reality that he actively sought to obtain images of child abuse from mothers across the nation, urging them to molest their children for his perverse satisfaction.
In a statement released by U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III, the gravity of Price's actions was bluntly summarized. "Price’s conduct was depraved and outrageous," said Hamilton, underscoring the unwavering commitment of his office "to pursuing, uncovering, and prosecuting to the full extent of the law the criminals who sexually victimize children," as noted by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Emphasizing the vulnerability of children as a demographic, Special Agent in Charge Joseph E. Carrico of the FBI lauded the results stemming from the interagency collaboration that brought Price to justice. The successful prosecution is "a great example of the work that can be done when state, federal, and local law enforcement agencies collaborate across state lines," Carrico said, as mentioned by the U.S. Department of Justice. The resolve to diligently work alongside partners to identify and investigate predators remains steadfast, guaranteeing the safety of children within the community.
Contributing to the joint investigation that eventually led to Price’s conviction were the FBI and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. Special Assistant United States Attorney Charles D. Minor, alongside Assistant United States Attorney James Brooks, handled the prosecution of the case. Minor holds a special assignment from the United States Department of Justice and operates in tandem with the Hamilton County District Attorney General’s Office focusing on combating child sex offenses.
