Former Corrections Officer Charged by TBI in Snapchat Exploitation Case

WEAKLEY COUNTY – In the upper northwestern portion of the state, a joint investigation by special agents with the TBI’s Cybercrime and Digital Evidence Unit, along with the Weakley County Sheriff’s Office, has resulted in the arrest of a Roan Mountain man.

In February, TBI agents joined Weakley County detectives in investigating a report of a 9-year-old sending child sex abuse material to an adult male via Snapchat. During the course of the investigation, Hunter Chase Ellison, who turns 23 in less than 7-days, was identified as the Snapchat account user.

Last week, agents obtained warrants for Ellison, charging him with Especially Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and Solicitation of a Minor by Electronic Means. At the time of the incident, Ellison was employed as a corrections officer at the Northeast Correctional Complex in Mountain City. Today, with assistance from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and the Tennessee Department of Corrections, Ellison was arrested at his place of employment.  He is currently being held in the Johnson County Jail.

The charges and allegations referenced in this release are merely accusations of criminal conduct and not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law. 

The TBI has information about online dangers, sextortion, and common-sense tips for the public on its website, www.tn.gov/tbi. Parents and caregivers looking for resources aimed at helping children develop online safety skills should visit the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s website at www.netsmartz.org.

DISCLAIMER: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The arrest records or information about an arrest that are published or reported on NewsRadio WGNS and www.WGNSradio.com are not an indication of guilt or evidence that an actual crime has been committed.