A 46-year-old man was arrested in Columbia after police executed a search warrant Friday in an investigation into the alleged sexual exploitation of a minor. He is being held in the Maury County Jail on charges of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor and especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, with police warning that more charges may follow.
According to a Columbia police release, investigators and officers carried out the warrant with participation from the Tennessee Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Police said the man had previously been convicted of sexual-related crimes against children and is listed on the Tennessee sex offender registry; the release did not identify him by name.
Columbia police said the department joined the Tennessee ICAC network in July and received its first tip through the task force’s information center. The statewide Tennessee ICAC Task Force describes the program as a partnership among city, county, state and federal agencies investigating technology-assisted child exploitation.
Investigators said the case will require substantial work and time as they review all evidence collected during the search. Additional charges are expected after that analysis is complete.
What The Tennessee Charges Mean
Under Tennessee law, aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor generally involves knowingly distributing, purchasing, exchanging, or possessing with intent to distribute material depicting a minor engaged in sexual activity or patently offensive simulated sexual activity. Especially aggravated sexual exploitation involves allegedly promoting, using, assisting, transporting or permitting a minor to participate in the production of such material, according to a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation statutory guide.
The guide classifies aggravated exploitation as a Class C felony, escalating to Class B when more than 25 images or materials are involved. Especially aggravated sexual exploitation is classified as a Class B felony, although the specific evidence and counts in this case have not been publicly detailed.
The arrest is an allegation, not a conviction, and the investigation remains active. Police said investigators will continue reviewing digital and other evidence before determining whether additional charges are warranted.
Police Ask For Additional Information
Anyone with information related to the investigation is encouraged to contact the Columbia Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division at 931-560-1670 or email [email protected]. Dispatch is available around the clock at 931-388-2727, according to the department’s contact page.
