Washington County Man Pleads Guilty to Producing Child Pornography and
Interstate Solicitation of a Minor

GREENEVILLE, TN—Jason Brad Ford, age 28, of Washington County, Tennessee, pled guilty on July 28, 2008, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Greeneville, Tennessee, to two federal felonies relating to child pornography. Sentencing has been set for 9:00 a.m., December 8, 2008, in United States District Court in Greeneville.

Ford faces a term of imprisonment of 15 to 30 years on the first count and 10 years to life on the second count, as well as fines of $500,000, forfeiture of equipment used to commit the offenses, supervised release for up to life, and $200 in special assessments.

After Ford met a teenaged girl in Colorado online, he directed and produced child pornography of the teenager engaged in bestiality, erotic nudity, sadomasochism, and masturbation. Ford recorded her activity using a video webcorder. Ford was arrested on June 27, 2008, after a joint investigation by the Washington County Sheriff’s Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) established that his victim had arranged to meet him in Knoxville, Tennessee, on July 16, 2008. Ford fled when law enforcement officers drove to his home to arrest him and has been in custody since his arrest on June 27, 2008.

James R. “Russ” Dedrick, United States Attorney, expressed his satisfaction with the prompt resolution and the partnership with Washington County Sheriff Ed Graybeal and his fine department. “Working together with our partners in the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, we were able to remove a dangerous predator from our community and prevented further child abuse. All of us must be vigilant in creating safe childhoods for children.”

On July 8, 2008, a four-count indictment, which included the aforementioned charges, was returned against Ford by a federal grand jury sitting in Greeneville, Tennessee. Assistant United States Attorney Helen Smith represented the government.

For additional information, please contact United States Attorney Russ Dedrick, 865-545-4167, Assistant U.S. Attorney Helen Smith (423-639-6759 x 110) or Public Information Officer Sharry Dedman-Beard, 865-545-4167.

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