On June 15, 2016, Dustin Lee Dotson was arrested for Solicitation of a Minor to Engage in Certain Sexual Conduct (Class C Felony) by the Knoxville Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). Dotson had requested a 13-year-old female send a nude photograph of herself and made several other lewd and sexual references to the teen. During the interview, Dotson stated that he had requested the same types of photographs from other juveniles.
Following Dotson’s arrest, a grandmother contacted the KPD Major Crimes Unit and spoke with Investigator Jason Booker. The grandmother stated that her granddaughter and one of her granddaughter’s friends had disclosed to her that Dotson had requested the same types of photographs from them. The juveniles in this case were 11 and 12-years-old. The victims were interviewed by ICAC investigators. While conducting the new investigation, Dotson bonded out on his original charge. On June 21, 2016, a Knox County Grand Jury returned indictments charging Dotson with (2) two additional counts of Solicitation of a Minor to Engage in Certain Sexual Conduct (Class C Felonies). Dotson was taken into custody without incident by KPD ICAC Investigators on June 22, 2016.
All of Dotson’s victims attended the same church where Dotson was assisting with vacation bible school. On September 23, 2016, Dotson pleaded guilty to all (3) three counts of Solicitation of a Minor to Engage in Certain Sexual Conduct (Class C felonies).
On April 7, 2017, The Honorable Judge Steve Sword sentenced Dotson to serve six years for the crimes he committed, of which one year must be served in split confinement and the remaining five years will be served on probation. Once Dotson is released from jail he will be required to register with the sex offender registry.
