Tywan Montrease Sykes, Child Exploitation, Tennessee 2021

Knoxville, Tenn. – A Blount County man has been convicted of using a minor to produce child pornography, enticement of a minor for sex, and possession of child pornography, all while being required to register as a sex offender.

Tywan Montrease Sykes, 45, of Louisville, Tennessee, was convicted of these crimes in a federal jury trial on March 17, 2021. As a result of the convictions, Sykes is subject to a prison sentence of 25 years up to life.

The investigation into Sykes began after Facebook notified the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that Sykes was soliciting a 15-year-old girl for sex and child pornography. The girl was interviewed and helped identify Sykes, who was arrested within 48 hours. Federal search warrants were used to obtain Sykes’ and the victim’s Facebook communications and to search Sykes’ phone, revealing substantial evidence that was used at trial to convict him.

The investigation was led by Knoxville Police Department officers who are designated as Task Force Officers with Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew T. Morris and Gretchen Mohr represented the United States in court.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. PSC marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

Sentencing for Sykes is scheduled for July 29, 2021. The defendant is currently facing a prison sentence of 25 years up to life for his crimes. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of reporting suspicious activity and the seriousness with which law enforcement agencies take allegations of child exploitation.

The Knoxville Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children unit, along with the local Department of Children’s Services office, played a crucial role in identifying the victim and ensuring her safety. The case highlights the need for continued collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the community to prevent child exploitation.

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