KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Nathan Hart, a 24-year-old Knoxville resident, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for possessing and accessing child pornography, marking a significant victory in the ongoing battle against online exploitation.
The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge Thomas A. Varlan, also mandates $45,000 in restitution to victims. Hart’s supervised release will last an additional 20 years, and he must register as a sex offender with the state of Tennessee.
Hart pleaded guilty to one count of possession and access with intent to view child pornography, as outlined in 18 U.S.C. § 2252A(a)(5)(B).
Investigations began in May 2023 following tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Knoxville Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Knox County Sheriff’s office worked tirelessly to uncover Hart’s activities. A search of his residence yielded scores of files, including at least twenty-four videos, one exceeding an hour in length, depicting sexually explicit material involving children.
HSI Task Force Officer Thomas Evans led the investigation that culminated in the successful prosecution under Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative aimed at eradicating child sexual exploitation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Kolman represented the United States in the case.
For further information on internet safety and resources regarding child exploitation, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Key Facts
- State: Tennessee
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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