Bartlett Predator Lattimer Gets 5 Years for Child Exploitation

MEMPHIS, TN – Joel Evan Lattimer, 43, of Bartlett, Tennessee, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced for a sickening obsession with child pornography. U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz announced today that Lattimer received a 60-month sentence for solicitation of child pornography and attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor, a sentence that reflects the severity of his crimes.

The FBI’s Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force uncovered Lattimer’s depravity between October and November 2021. Undercover agents, posing as a father and his 12-year-old daughter, engaged with Lattimer on social networking apps like Whisper, Kik, and Wickr. The agents presented a fabricated scenario – that the father was sexually abusing his daughter – and Lattimer’s response was chilling. He didn’t report the alleged abuse; he requested photos and videos depicting it.

The investigation quickly escalated. Lattimer, fueled by his perverse desires, didn’t stop at requests. In November, he sent the undercover agent posing as the “minor” two videos of himself engaging in sexually explicit acts. This direct attempt to contribute to the exploitation of a child sealed his fate. Lattimer subsequently pled guilty to the charges outlined in a two-count Information.

On February 9, 2023, United States District Judge Thomas L. Parker delivered the sentence: 60 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. It’s crucial to note there is no parole in the federal system – Lattimer will serve his full sentence. The court also levied a $10,000 fine, assessed under the Justice for Victims Trafficking Act of 2015, a small measure of accountability for the immense harm he sought to inflict.

“This case demonstrates the FBI’s unwavering commitment to protecting children from online predators,” said a source close to the investigation, speaking on condition of anonymity. “These individuals hide behind screens, believing they can operate with impunity. We will continue to relentlessly pursue them and bring them to justice.”

U.S. Attorney Ritz commended Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Delery for her skillful prosecution of the case, and extended gratitude to the law enforcement partners involved in the investigation. The case serves as a grim reminder of the dark corners of the internet and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable children. ###

For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at (901) 544-4231 or cherri.green@usdoj.gov. Follow @WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.