Predator Gets 10 Years in Knoxville

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Ryan Patrick Garrett, 41, of Maryville, Tennessee, is headed to federal prison for a decade. On March 18, 2026, U.S. District Judge Katherine A. Crytzer handed Garrett a 120-month sentence for attempting to meet with two young girls – ages nine and twelve – with the intent to commit sexual acts. The bust went down in Knoxville after an investigation revealed his predatory plans.

Knoxville Police detectives and Homeland Security Investigations agents arrested Garrett on March 13, 2025, as he arrived to meet the children. The operation was led by the Tennessee Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, a coalition of 74 state and local agencies. Detectives had been tracking Garrett’s online activity and coordinated the arrest to prevent the meetings from happening.

According to court documents, Garrett agreed to a plea deal, admitting guilt to one count of attempted enticement under 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b). Beyond the prison time, Garrett faces 30 years of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender – a permanent mark of his crimes.

The ICAC Task Force investigation, spearheaded by HSI KPD ICAC Task Force Officer Tom Evans, highlights the ongoing fight against online predators. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Kolman prosecuted the case for the Eastern District of Tennessee, led by U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III. This case was part of Project Safe Child, a national initiative focused on protecting children from sexual exploitation.