Hohenwald Man Sentenced to Nine Years in Federal Prison for Transporting Tennessee Teen Across State Lines for Illegal Sexual Activity

NASHVILLE - A Hohenwald, Tennessee, man was sentenced June 12, 2026, to 108 months in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for coercing and enticing a 16-year-old girl to travel with him from Tennessee to Kentucky and then to Texas so that he could continue an illegal sexual relationship with her.

Drew Roden, 25, pleaded guilty on July 28, 2025, to coercion and enticement to travel in interstate commerce to engage in illegal sexual activity, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2422(a).

According to court documents and admissions made in connection with the plea, Roden, then 22 years old, met the minor victim in December 2022. He was informed at the time that she was 16 years old but continued to pursue contact with her. Roden eventually purchased a cell phone for the minor victim and encouraged her to leave her family's home in Spring Hill, Tennessee, at night to meet him.

In late January 2023, Roden drove the victim from Tennessee to Bowling Green, Kentucky, and ultimately to Houston, Texas, so that he could continue the illegal sexual relationship.

While the minor victim was missing, Roden repeatedly lied to her family, his own family, and concerned acquaintances about her whereabouts, despite being urged by multiple people to bring her home safely. The minor victim's family contacted the Spring Hill Police Department, which referred the matter to the FBI. Agents with the FBI's Nashville Field Office traced Roden's location to Houston and coordinated with the FBI's Houston Field Office, where Roden was located and arrested on Feb. 2, 2023, approximately one week after the victim was last seen at her family's home.

"Adults who exploit children for their own sexual gratification are among the most serious offenders," said U.S. Attorney Braden H. Boucek for the Middle District of Tennessee. "By sexually victimizing a teenager sentence, the defendant's conduct warranted a sentence that reflects our unwavering commitment to pursuing those who prey on children. Thanks to our valued law enforcement partners for their hard work."

This case was investigated by the Spring Hill Police Department and the FBI's Nashville and Houston Field Offices.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Monica R. Morrison for the Middle District of Tennessee prosecuted the case, with assistance from Trial Attorney Adam Braskich of the Department of Justice's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section.

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