MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) announced Monday, May 20, 2024, that a dozen people are charged and dozens of victims found in a large-scale investigation into sextortion and child exploitation in the state.
The TBI said from February 2024 to April 2024, its Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force conducted ‘Operation Protecting Tomorrow.’ The goal was to find children who were victims of sextortion and online child exploitation and arrest those responsible for the victimization. The TBI said tips to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and from the community, as well as undercover investigations, led to the arrests.
“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,” said TBI Director David Rausch. “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.”
Identifying the victims
The ICAC said it identified 18 known child victims of sextortion in Tennessee through NCMEC cybertips and social media platforms. They found another victim in Alabama. They said they are still trying to identify 22 more children ages 11 to 17.
The TBI said five children were rescued as brand-new sexual exploitation content was being created and shared.
Agents said they executed 10 search warrants of homes in the state, seized 181 electronic devices, and one child sex doll. They said they found more than 264,000 images and videos of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).
Charging the perpetrators
The TBI charged the following people, who were booked into county jails:
- John Vincent, 53, Murfreesboro: Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (2 Counts)
- Courtney Staggs, 29, Jamestown: Aggravated Rape of a Child (1 Count), Aggravated Sexual Battery (1 Count), Especially Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (6 Counts), Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (6 Counts)
- Cody Wilson, 31, Columbia: Solicitation of a Minor (1 Count), Soliciting Sexual Exploitation of a Minor – Exploitation of a Minor by Electronic Means (1 Count)
- Kyle Shaddon, 28, Paris: Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (3 Counts)
- Justin Farris, 41, Paris: Especially Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (1 Count), Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (1 Count)
- Marcus Puryear, 47, Somerville: Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (20 Counts), Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (20 Counts)
- Shawn Steven, 32, Decatur: Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (5 Counts)
- Cody Gunter, 29, Niota: Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (1 Count), Solicitation of a Minor (1 Count)
- Johnathan Curtis, 32, McMinnville: Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (1 Count)
- Clifton Johnston, 38, McMinnville: Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (1 Count)
- Garry Alford, 42, McMinnville: Sexual Exploitation of Minor (1 Count)
- Ernest Brown, 45, Paris: Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (6 Counts), Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (2 Counts)
The TBI said more arrests and charges could come as forensic processing is completed.
What parents need to know
The TBI has information about online dangers, sextortion, and common-sense tips for the public on its website, at www.tn.gov/tbi.
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, at www.netsmartz.org.
Anyone with information about these cases or other cases of online child exploitation should contact the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Tipline at 1-800-TBI-FIND, TipsToTBI@tbi.tn.gov, or report via the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) CyberTipline at CyberTipline.org.