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Memphis Man Sentenced for Child Pornography and Human Trafficking
A former Millington reserve police officer has pleaded guilty to producing child pornography and transporting a minor for sexual activity. Rickie Friar, 67, faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment and a maximum of life.
According to court documents, Friar produced sexually explicit images and videos of three female minors between July 2013 and May 2015. The minors were under the age of 18, with two being under 12 years old. Friar is also accused of transporting a minor across state lines with the intent to engage in unlawful sexual activity.
Friar was arrested after a Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Deputy responded to a call at his residence. The housekeeper had discovered sexually explicit images of children on Friar’s iPad. A forensic examination of the iPad and other electronic devices revealed additional videos and images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Friar is visible in some of the images and videos, and his voice can be heard in others.
Hours after the discovery, Friar was located in Arkansas, returning from a trip to Oklahoma. He was traveling with a female minor, and law enforcement agents found receipts for sex toys and lubricant in his vehicle.
Friar pleaded guilty to three counts of producing child pornography and one count of human trafficking. He faces a fine of up to $1 million. Friar is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr. on Thursday, August 11, 2016.
The case was investigated by the Memphis Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Homeland Security Investigations; Shelby County Sheriff’s Department; Memphis Police Department; U.S. Postal Investigation Service; U.S. Marshals Service; and the U.S. Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Ireland is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Key Facts
- State: Tennessee
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Human Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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