An Overton County man faces multiple felony charges after a joint investigation revealed he allegedly solicited child sexual abuse material from minors across the country in exchange for money.
The TBI said 22-year-old Tristan Hicks of Overton County arrested following a coordinated effort between the TBI Internet Crimes Against Children Unit and the Fairfax County, Virginia, Police Department.
TBI officials said the investigation began in May after authorities in Virginia received information that a minor had sent illicit material to an adult through TikTok and text messages.
TBI agents said detectives identified Hicks as the user of the TikTok account and phone number involved in the case before notifying Tennessee authorities of his location. TBI officials said the investigation uncovered numerous victims in the Cookeville area and other parts of the country who allegedly sent child sexual abuse material to Hicks in exchange for monetary payments.
TBI officials said investigators obtained warrants this week charging Hicks with two counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, and four counts of solicitation of a minor. TBI agents said Hicks was arrested with assistance from the Livingston Police Department and booked into the Overton County Jail.
TBI officials said the bond for Hicks was set at $100,000.
TBI agents said the case remains active and investigators are seeking information from anyone who may have communicated with Hicks. TBI officials said the public should report any contact with the TikTok account @tristanhicks.2 or the Snapchat account tristanhicks.2 to 1-800-TBI-FIND.
