A federal jury convicted Christopher Peyton Stricklin, 19, of Savannah, Tennessee, on May 12 for three sexual exploitation offenses involving a minor that occurred in August 2025, according to United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about the use of technology in crimes against children and underscores law enforcement efforts to address these offenses. According to evidence presented at trial, Stricklin used a cell phone to record himself sexually abusing a minor female and then sent the video to another minor using the same device. He was charged with production and distribution of child pornography as well as transferring obscene material to a person under age 16. After a two-day trial overseen by United States District Court Judge J. Daniel Breen, Stricklin was found guilty on all counts. Sentencing is scheduled for August.
Stricklin faces significant penalties: at least 15 years and up to 30 years in prison for production of child pornography; at least five years and up to 20 years for distribution; and up to ten years for transferring obscene material. Judge Breen will determine his sentence based on federal guidelines and statutory factors; parole is not available in the federal system.
Dunavant said, “With the proliferation of cell phones and social media, predators are increasingly committing disturbing crimes against vulnerable victims, including child sexual abuse. As offenders keep committing these heinous crimes against children, our office will keep convicting and severely punishing them.”
The investigation involved several agencies: the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), Savannah Police Department, Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, and District Attorney’s Office for the 24th Judicial District in Tennessee. Assistant United States Attorneys Josh Morrow and Caroline Parish prosecuted the case.
The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee advances community safety through federal law enforcement initiatives from offices in Memphis and Jackson while prosecuting federal crimes across its region—a district that traces its origins back to 1803—according to the official website.
