Nineteen Year Old to Serve Ten Years on Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of Minor Charges
In May 2015, the Knoxville Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (N.C.M.E.C.) that there was an individual distributing child pornography images via an America Online email account. A further investigation revealed that the suspect was residing at a residence in West Knoxville.
On July 7, 2015, investigators with ICAC as well as deputies with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office ICAC Unit executed a state search warrant at the residence. Investigators determined through evidence discovered during the execution of the search warrant that the suspect in this case was Joseph Adam Morton, a 17-year-old male. At the conclusion of the search warrant, investigators seized several electronic devices in relation to the investigation. A forensic examination of Morton’s electronic devices revealed that he was in possession of 396 file images believed to be child pornography / child erotica as well as 25 file videos believed to be child pornography / child erotica. The files contained images showing pre-pubescent children as well as infants involved in sexual acts.
On August 7, 2015, Morton was arrested for Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor as well as Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and transported to the Richard L. Bean Juvenile Detention Center. During a hearing the Honorable Judge Tim Irwin transferred Mr. Morton’s case from juvenile court to Knox County Criminal Court due to the nature of the crimes. On December 13, 2016, a Knox County Grand Jury returned a true bill in the case involving Morton.
On June 9, 2017, the Knox County District Attorney General’s Office Child Abuse Unit successfully obtained a plea agreement with Morton. Morton pleaded guilty to eight (8) counts of Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. The Honorable Judge Steven Sword sentenced Morton to a 10-year sentence with one year being served as split confinement. Once released, Morton must register as a Violent Sex Offender with the State of Tennessee Sex Offender Registry and will remain on lifetime supervision.