Knoxville Man Sentenced to 70 Months for Possession of Child Pornography
In a disturbing case of child exploitation, Nathan Hart, a 24-year-old Knoxville man, has been sentenced to 70 months in prison for possession of child pornography. According to court documents, Hart was found to have numerous files of child pornography, including at least 24 videos containing sexually explicit material, on his computer and electronics.
On August 12, 2025, Hart was sentenced by the Honorable Thomas A. Varlan, United States District Judge, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Knoxville. He was also ordered to pay $45,000 in restitution to his victims. Following his imprisonment, Hart will be on supervised release for 20 years and will be required to register with the state sex offender registry and comply with special sex offender conditions.
As part of the plea agreement filed with the court, Hart agreed to plead guilty to an indictment charging him with one count of possession of and access with intent to view child pornography in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252A(a)(5)(B).
The investigation into Hart’s activities began in May 2023, after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received tips about child pornography being distributed on the internet. Investigators determined that the computer and internet service used belonged to Hart at his residential address, and a search of his residence and electronics revealed the extensive collection of child pornography.
U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III and Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Kolman represented the United States. The investigation was led by HSI Task Force Officer Thomas Evans, and involved the Knoxville Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children Unit and the Knox County Sheriff’s office.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006, to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.
Related Federal Cases
- Anthony Layton Moody, Child Pornography Distribution, Tennessee 2020 · Tennessee
- Justin Claude Richardson, Receipt of Child Pornography, Tennessee 2021 · Tennessee
- Joel Evan Lattimer, Child Pornography Solicitation, Tennessee 2024 · Tennessee
- Joel Evan Lattimer, Child Pornography Solicitation, Tennessee 2023 · Tennessee
- Levi Edward Hamilton, Child Pornography, Tennessee 2023 · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Tennessee
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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