Weakley Officials Help Track Down Snapchat Predator
A Weakley County investigation into reports of child sexual abuse material sent via Snapchat has led to the arrest of a corrections officer in East Tennessee.
In February, special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Cybercrime and Digital Evidence Unit began working with detectives from the Weakley County Sheriff’s Office after receiving a report that a 9-year-old had been coerced into sending sexually explicit material to an adult male through Snapchat.
Investigators identified the account holder as 23-year-old Hunter Chase Ellison of Roan Mountain. At the time, Ellison worked as a corrections officer at the Northeast Correctional Complex in Mountain City.
Last week, agents obtained warrants charging Ellison with Especially Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and Solicitation of a Minor by Electronic Means. On the day of his arrest, Ellison was taken into custody at his workplace with help from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and the Tennessee Department of Correction. He is currently being held in the Johnson County Jail.
These charges are accusations. Ellison is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The TBI offers resources on online safety and sextortion awareness at www.tn.gov/tbi. Parents can also find guidance through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at www.netsmartz.org.
