Two residents of Livingston, Tennessee, Payton York and Perrion Cruz, are under investigation for allegedly creating and distributing child sexual abuse materials. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crimes Against Children Squad, working with local authorities, is handling the case, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
In July, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Overton County Sheriff’s Department, and Livingston Police Department began investigating a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Payton York and Perrion Cruz were indicted on six counts of especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor and 13 counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor each. Cruz was arrested after a search of his home, and York was arrested by Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agents and Gallatin Police. Both are in Overton County Jail with a $1,000,000 bond each.
York and Cruz are facing 19 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. They are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is asking the public to provide information through their tip line or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children CyberTipline. Parents and guardians are encouraged to use resources like NetSmartz.org to learn how to protect children from online exploitation.
