Jared James Dabbs, aged 41 from Fayetteville, Arkansas, has received a 40-year federal prison sentence for sexual exploitation of a minor and receipt of child pornography. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire for the Middle District of Tennessee.
Dabbs was indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2022 and pleaded guilty to all charges in August 2024. The case began in March 2022 when a laptop he had pawned in Giles County, Tennessee, was found to contain child sexual abuse material. This discovery led law enforcement to execute a search warrant, revealing more illegal material on the defendant’s devices and resulting in Dabbs’ arrest. According to authorities, he admitted to producing and possessing the material and engaging in sexual conduct with a minor victim.
Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire emphasized the Department of Justice's commitment to protecting children, stating, "Thanks to the efforts of our prosecutors and our law enforcement partners, Jared Dabbs will never hurt another child again and justice has been done."
Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud highlighted the importance of public vigilance in such cases, stating, “This case underscores the critical role that everyday citizens can play in combating child sexual exploitation.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Joseph E. Carrico reaffirmed the organization's dedication to protecting vulnerable populations: "Children are among the most vulnerable in our communities. The FBI is committed to finding and arresting those who prey on children."
Post-incarceration, Dabbs will be under supervised release for ten years and must register as a sex offender. He has also been ordered to pay $69,600 in restitution.
The joint investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI Nashville Field Office, and the Giles County Sheriff’s Department, while the prosecution was managed by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Monica R. Morrison and Robert E. McGuire.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, initiated by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation, using combined federal, state, and local resources to tackle these crimes.
For further details on Project Safe Childhood, information is available at www.justice.gov/psc.