Bartlett Predator Lattimer Gets 5 Years for Child Exploitation

MEMPHIS, TN – Joel Evan Lattimer, 43, of Bartlett, Tennessee, will spend the next five years in federal prison after being sentenced today for sickening crimes against a child. The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced the sentencing of Lattimer, who pleaded guilty to solicitation of child pornography and attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor. This isn’t just a case of bad intent; it’s a deliberate pursuit of depravity.

According to court documents, the FBI’s Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force caught Lattimer red-handed between October and November 2021. Undercover agents, posing as a father and his 12-year-old daughter, engaged Lattimer through various social networking apps – Whisper, Kik, and Wickr. The agents fabricated a horrifying scenario, informing Lattimer that the father was sexually abusing his daughter. Lattimer didn’t recoil in horror. He requested photos and videos depicting the alleged abuse.

The depravity didn’t stop there. In November, Lattimer took things a step further, sending the undercover agent posing as the minor two videos of himself engaging in sexually explicit acts. This wasn’t idle curiosity; it was a calculated attempt to engage in illegal and harmful activity. The FBI acted swiftly, bringing Lattimer’s disgusting behavior to light.

United States District Judge Thomas L. Parker delivered the sentence on February 9, 2023, sentencing Lattimer to 60 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Forget the myth of parole – in the federal system, you serve your time. The judge also levied a $10,000 fine, payable under the Justice for Victims Trafficking Act of 2015, a small measure of accountability for the immense harm Lattimer attempted to inflict.

U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz praised the work of Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Delery, who successfully prosecuted the case, and the tireless efforts of the FBI’s Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force. This case serves as a stark reminder of the predators lurking online and the dedication of law enforcement to protect the most vulnerable among us.

This investigation underscores the importance of reporting suspected child exploitation. If you have information, contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on those who prey on children. ###

Contact: Cherri Green, Public Information Officer, (901) 544-4231, cherri.green@usdoj.gov. Follow @WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.

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