Alisha Danielle Scudder of Lebanon, Tennessee, was sentenced on July 27 in U.S. District Court to a total of 340 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for conspiracy, four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, sex trafficking of children, distribution of child pornography, and sale of child pornography, according to an announcement on Aug. 5 by United States Attorney Braden H. Boucek for the Middle District of Tennessee.
Boucek said, “Scudder exploited two vulnerable children, produced child abuse material involving them, and accepted money in exchange for that material. Her conduct represents a profound betrayal of the children who depended on her for protection. Our office and our law enforcement partners will continue working together to identify those who exploit children, protect victims, and hold offenders accountable.”
Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly of the FBI Nashville Field Office said, “Those who strip children of their innocence commit one of the gravest betrayals imaginable. Today’s sentence sends a clear message that exploiting children carries serious consequences. The FBI and our partners will continue to aggressively investigate, pursue, and bring child predators to justice, ensuring they are held fully accountable for the harm they inflict.”
HSI Nashville Special Agent in Charge Dennis M. Fetting said protecting children is among Homeland Security Investigations’ most important missions: “HSI will continue working with our partners to identify predators, protect victims and seek justice for exploited children.” Tennessee Bureau of Investigations Director David Rausch said, “The exploitation of children is among the most disturbing crimes we investigate. Through strong partnerships and persistent investigative efforts, we remain committed to identifying those who exploit vulnerable victims and holding them accountable.”
According to court documents referenced in the sentencing announcement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee—which enforces federal laws across 32 counties as part of its mandate within the Department of Justice—the offenses began around June 2019 through March 2022 when Scudder produced sexual abuse material involving two minors under age fourteen which she transmitted over internet-based applications in exchange for money from a co-conspirator, according to the official website. The investigation began after referrals from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children led authorities to recover evidence from electronic devices belonging both to Scudder’s co-conspirator as well as at her Lebanon residence during a December 2022 search warrant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Monica R. Morrison prosecuted this case.