Mid-State Man Sentenced To 35 Years In Federal Prison For Child Sexual Exploitation Crimes

NASHVILLE – A Minor Hill, Tennessee, man was sentenced yesterday to 35 years in federal prison for crimes related to the production of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Mark H. Wildasin for the Middle District of Tennessee. 

Joshua Marc Hendon, 36, and his wife, Lori Hendon, were indicted in October 2017, on charges of conspiracy to produce child pornography, nine counts of production of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. 

“Protecting innocent children from sexual predators remains one of our highest priorities,” said U.S. Attorney Wildasin. “I commend our law enforcement partners and prosecutors who work diligently to identify these predators and bring them to justice so that they no longer have the opportunity to exploit any child again.”

In November 2019, Joshua Hendon pleaded guilty to all charges and admitted that in the fall of 2015, he was a registered sex offender when he and his wife moved to Minor Hill, Tennessee. There, they befriended a nearby family that included two minor girls under the age of 12, and their father, who was disabled and struggled to care for the girls.  Both girls began to visit the Hendon home regularly, where Lori would take care of them. 

In October 2015, Joshua began communicating with the girls online, using the text application Kik.  On several occasions, Joshua convinced the younger of the two girls to send him explicit photos.  During one Kik chat conversation, the girl offered to send explicit photos in an effort to avoid having Joshua physically molest her.  Joshua also enlisted the help of his wife to take photos of the girls when they were nude and taking baths in the Hendon home. 

A subsequent forensic examination of Joshua’s cell phones and other electronic devices found numerous images of child pornography, including over 30 sexually explicit images of the two girls.  Forensic interviews of the girls disclosed that Joshua had touched them inappropriately. 

“Because of the investigative efforts of our HSI agents, a child sex offender has been sent to federal prison, where he will be unable to victimize other vulnerable children,” said HSI Nashville Special Agent in Charge Jerry C. Templet, Jr. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to remove these offenders from our communities and ensure they pay for their heinous actions.”

The case against Lori Hendon remains pending and she is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Giles County Sheriff’s Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Carrie Daughtrey is prosecuting the case. 

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