Matthew Marr, 23, of Memphis, Tennessee, has pleaded guilty to coercing a 14-year-old female minor into engaging in sexual intercourse, using digital threats and manipulation to maintain control over the victim. The sordid case, unveiled by federal prosecutors, reveals a calculated campaign of online grooming, sexual demands, and intimidation that culminated in in-person encounters, one of which involved a knife.
According to court documents, Marr used messaging apps to communicate with the minor between July and August 2016. Early in their exchanges, the girl disclosed she was only 14 years old. Rather than disengage, Marr told her the age difference didn’t matter — then escalated his demands. He sent her sexually explicit images and insisted she reciprocate with videos and photos, framing the abuse as a requirement for maintaining a ‘relationship.’
The abuse took a darker turn when Marr met the victim in person to engage in sexual intercourse. During at least one encounter, he carried a knife, raising immediate concerns about threats of violence. Authorities say Marr also pressured the teen to introduce him to even younger girls, suggesting predatory intentions that extended beyond a single victim.
Marr pleaded guilty on Thursday, January 26, 2017, before U.S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr. He admitted to one count of coercing and enticing a female minor to engage in sexual activity, a charge that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for April 27, 2017.
The investigation was led by the FBI’s Memphis Child Exploitation Task Force, with support from the BPD. Assistant U.S. Attorney Deb Ireland is prosecuting the case for the government. The probe remains active as investigators urge anyone with related information to contact the task force at 901.747.4300.
This case was pursued under Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a Department of Justice initiative launched in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation. Through coordinated federal, state, and local efforts, PSC aims to dismantle networks of abuse, rescue victims, and bring predators like Matthew Marr to justice. For more on internet safety and PSC, visit www.justice.gov/psc/.
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- Ex-Cop Christopher Patrick Odom Jailed for Sex Crimes on Duty · Tennessee
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Key Facts
- State: Tennessee
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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