Stanley Weems Indicted for Production and Possession of Child Pornography and Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

GREENEVILLE, TN—A federal grand jury in Greeneville returned a three-count indictment on September 13, 2011, against Stanley Weems, 67, of Baileyton, Tenn., for producing child pornography, possession of child pornography, and grooming a minor for purposes of sexual exploitation. Weems appeared in court today, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dennis H. Inman, and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges in the indictment. He was held pending a detention hearing, which has been set for Wednesday, September 21, 2011.

The indictment alleges that on or about July 21, 2011, and for at least the three years preceding July 21, 2011, Weems employed, used, persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced minor children to engage in sexually explicit conduct, including sexual intercourse with adults, which he recorded and photographed.

If convicted, Weems faces a term of at least 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, forfeiture of property, and up to the rest of his life on supervised release following his prison term.

U.S. Attorney, William C. Killian stated, “This investigation represents the commitment of the U.S. Attorney’s Office to bring those who would harm the most vulnerable in our society to justice.”

This indictment is the result of an investigation by the Greene County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Gregory Bowman will represent the United States.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment constitutes only charges and that every person is presumed innocent until their guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a Department initiative launched in 2006 that aims to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes against children. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC marshals federal, state, tribal, 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 visit www.ProjectSafeChildhood.gov.