TCA 39-17-1005
Offense of especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor
FELONY BClass B Felony
Sentence enhancement may apply
What does this charge mean?
This law makes it illegal to knowingly involve a minor (anyone under 18) in creating, performing in, or being photographed/filmed engaging in sexual activity or sexually explicit material. This includes promoting, employing, using, transporting, or permitting such involvement. The punishment is 8-30 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines for this Class B felony.
Penalty Details
ClassificationClass B Felony
Maximum Jail8-30 years
Maximum Fine$25,000
Penalty SummaryClass B felony; 8-30 years; fine up to $25,000
(a) It is unlawful for a person to knowingly promote, employ, use, assist, transport or permit a minor to participate in the performance of, or in the production of, acts or material that includes the minor engaging in: (A) Any picture, drawing, photograph, undeveloped film or film negative, motion picture film, videocassette tape or other pictorial representation. See Tennessee Code 39-17-1002Minor: means any person who has not reached eighteen (18) years of age. See Tennessee Code 39-17-1002Patently offensive: means that which goes substantially beyond customary limits of candor in describing or representing such matters. See Tennessee Code 39-17-1002Performance: means any play, motion picture, photograph, dance, or other visual representation that can be exhibited before an audience of one (1) or more persons. See Tennessee Code 39-17-1002Person: includes the singular and the plural and means and includes any individual, firm, partnership, copartnership, association, corporation, governmental subdivision or agency, or other organization or other legal entity, or any agent or servant thereof. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106Promote: means to finance, produce, direct, manufacture, issue, publish, exhibit or advertise, or to offer or agree to do those things. See Tennessee Code 39-17-1002Sexual activity: means any of the following acts: (A) Vaginal, anal or oral intercourse, whether done with another person or an animal. See Tennessee Code 39-17-1002State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.(1) Sexual activity; or (2) Simulated sexual activity that is patently offensive. (b) A person violating subsection (a) may be charged in a separate count for each individual performance, image, picture, drawing, photograph, motion picture film, videocassette tape, or other pictorial representation. (c) In a prosecution under this section, the trier of fact may consider the title, text, visual representation, internet history, physical development of the person depicted, expert medical testimony, expert computer forensic testimony, and any other relevant evidence, in determining whether a person knowingly promoted, employed, used, assisted, transported or permitted a minor to participate in the performance of or in the production of acts or material for these purposes, or in determining whether the material or image otherwise represents or depicts that a participant is a minor. (d) A violation of this section is a Class B felony. Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting prosecution for any other sexual offense under this chapter, nor shall a joint conviction under this section and any other related sexual offense, even if arising out of the same conduct, be construed as limiting any applicable punishment, including consecutive sentencing under § 40-35-115, or the enhancement of sentence under § 40-35-114. (e) In a prosecution under this section, the state is not required to prove the actual identity or age of the minor. (f) A person is subject to prosecution in this state under this section for any conduct that originates in this state, or for any conduct that originates by a person located outside this state, where the person promoted, employed, assisted, transported or permitted a minor to engage in the performance of, or production of, acts or material within this state. (g) It shall not be a defense to a violation of subsection (a) that the minor victim of the offense consented to the conduct that constituted the offense.
View on official sourceLast verified: Feb 25, 2026
Recent Bookings with this Charge
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JOSHUA BEGLEY
Anderson Co. · Sep 11, 2025

JOSHUA BEGLEY
Anderson Co. · Sep 11, 2025

JOSHUA BEGLEY
Anderson Co. · Sep 11, 2025

JOSHUA BEGLEY
Anderson Co. · Sep 11, 2025

JOSHUA BEGLEY
Anderson Co. · Sep 11, 2025

JOSHUA BEGLEY
Anderson Co. · Sep 11, 2025

JOSHUA BEGLEY
Anderson Co. · Sep 11, 2025

JOSHUA BEGLEY
Anderson Co. · Sep 11, 2025
Quick Facts
FELONY B
TCA Section39-17-1005
Max Jail8-30 years
Max Fine$25,000
Recent Bookings8+
Geographic Distribution
Campbell12
Anderson12
Blount5
Williamson2
Roane2
Sevier1
Overton1
Morgan1
Moore1
Montgomery1
Lake1
Hickman1
+ 3 more counties