KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On February 28, 2018, Dean Alan Treadway, 69, of Knoxville, Tennessee, pleaded guilty before the Honorable Leon Jordan, Senior U.S. District Judge, to possession of child pornography.

Sentencing is set for 1:30 p.m., on July 23, 2018, in U.S District Court in Knoxville. Treadway faces a minimum of 10 years and up to 20 years in prison, supervision by U.S. Probation for five years up to life, forfeiture of the property used to commit the offense and may be ordered to pay restitution to the victims.

According to documents on file with U.S. District Court, as a result of an investigation by the Knoxville Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), a federal search warrant was executed at Treadway’s residence. This led to the discovery of multiple computers and electronic devices, which were later determined to contain images and videos of child pornography.

This investigation was conducted by the Knoxville Police Department ICAC. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bart Slabbekorn represented the United States in court proceedings.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.