A married couple from Gibson County, Tennessee, was sentenced last week to lengthy federal prison terms for sexually exploiting a minor in early 2022, according to an Aug. 4 announcement by United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant of the Western District of Tennessee.
Investigators found that Barry Keith Stephens, Jr., 40, and Melinda Rachelle Stephens, 36, transported a minor from Minnesota to Tennessee in January 2022 and committed sexual acts against the minor upon arrival. The investigation also revealed similar conduct by the couple involving another minor in New Mexico in 2008, which previously resulted in their federal convictions for possession of child pornography.
In May 2023, both defendants were charged with transporting a minor across state lines with intent that the minor engage in sexual activity. After pleading guilty to this offense, Barry Stephens received a sentence of 264 months’ imprisonment and ten years of supervised release. Melinda Stephens was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment and five years of supervised release. Both are required to register as sex offenders under the Sex Offender Registration & Notification Act (SORNA). There is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, “Cases involving repeat violations of child sexual exploitation are heartbreaking and demonstrate the need for significant punishment to incapacitate traveling predators. These despicable sex offenders will now be held fully accountable with decades in federal prison,” according to an official release. Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly of the FBI Nashville Field Office said, “Protecting children from exploitation and abuse is a top priority for the FBI… These sentences should serve as a warning to anyone who exploits children and a strong reminder that the FBI is committed to identifying and holding accountable those who victimize innocent children.” TBI Director David Rausch added: “This case underscores the strength of collaboration… We trust that this sentence sends a clear message that we will continue to dedicate every necessary resource to identify and apprehend individuals who victimize our most vulnerable citizens.”
The case was investigated by members of several agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS), Milan Police Department, and Lea County Sheriff’s Department in New Mexico. Assistant United States Attorneys Josh Morrow and Lauren Delery prosecuted on behalf of the government.
This prosecution was part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation through coordinated efforts among U.S. Attorneys’ Offices as well as local law enforcement partners.
The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee advances community safety through law enforcement initiatives and public outreach; it handles prosecutions for federal crimes while defending civil matters on behalf of the United States; operates offices out of Memphis and Jackson; serves all counties within its district; is one among ninety-three such offices under Department oversight; and functions as an official prosecutorial entity within its jurisdiction, according to its official website.