Federal possession and distribution of child pornography charges were filed against a La Vergne man Friday, authorities reported in a press release.
Suspect Joel H. Gilchrist, 49, of La Vergne was arrested on the charges, reported Edward M. Yarbrough, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee; Police Chief Jackie Moore, Franklin Police Department and Police Chief Ronal Serpas, Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.
Gilchrist appeared Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge John Bryant in Nashville, who ordered he be detained pending a hearing that is scheduled for Thursday.
According to the affidavit of complaint, a Nashville Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force detective was conducting an undercover investigation on April 5, 2009, when he saw that a La Vergne resident was sharing approximately 18,000 images and videos, many of which depicted children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
The same individual was identified in a separate undercover investigation on Aug. 10 when a Franklin Police detective also observed Gilchrist sharing over 18,000 images and videos, many of which depicted child pornography.
Law enforcement agents sought a search warrant, which was executed at Gilchrist’s home on Sept. 29. During the search, they seized numerous computers, hard drives, and computer media, with a total storage space of three terabytes.
Preliminary examination revealed 11 of the CD’s contained over 4,500 files, of which 2,548 were previously documented as containing child pornography and many more files of child pornography that have not been previously documented.
Detectives also found several devices known to be used in sado-masochistic/bondage sex acts.
The investigation and arrest resulted from the collaborative work of the Franklin Police
Department, Metro Nashville Police Department, La Vergne Police Department, Rutherford County Sheriff's Department and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee and the U.S. Department of Justice consider the prosecution of cases involving the exploitation of children to be one of the highest priorities in law enforcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorney S. Carren Daughtrey represents the United States in the case.
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