West Tennessee Couple Sentenced to Decades in Federal Prison for Child Exploitation Offense

Jackson, TN - A married couple, who previously resided in Gibson County, Tennessee, was sentenced to prison last week for sexually exploiting a minor in early 2022. United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant, of the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentences today.

The investigation in this case revealed that Barry Keith Stephens, Jr., 40, and Melinda Rachelle Stephens, 36, transported a minor from Minnesota to Tennessee in January 2022 and committed various sexual acts against the minor in violation of Tennessee law after arriving here.

The investigation further revealed that the Stephens's had committed similar sexually assaultive conduct against another minor in New Mexico in 2008, which resulted in federal convictions of both defendants for possession of child pornography.

In May 2023, the defendants were charged in federal court in Jackson with transporting a minor in interstate commerce with intent that the minor engage in sexual activity. Following the defendants' guilty pleas to this offense, United States District Court Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Barry Stephens to 264 months of imprisonment and 10 years of supervised release, and Melinda Stephens to 180 months of imprisonment and five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

Both defendants will also be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration & Notification Act (SORNA).

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Cases involving repeat violations of child sexual exploitation are heartbreaking and demonstrate the need for significant punishment to incapacitate traveling predators. These despicable sex offenders will now be held fully accountable with decades in federal prison."

"Protecting children from exploitation and abuse is a top priority for the FBI," said Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly of the FBI Nashville Field Office. "I am proud of the hard work and diligence of the Jackson Resident Agency and our partners involved in bringing these offenders to justice. These sentences should serve as a warning to anyone who exploits children and a strong reminder that the FBI is committed to identifying and holding accountable those who victimize innocent children."

"This case underscores the strength of collaboration and determination demonstrated by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and our local, state, and federal partners in holding accountable those who prey on innocent children," said TBI Director David Rausch. "We trust that this sentence sends a clear message that we will continue to dedicate every necessary resource to identify and apprehend individuals who victimize our most vulnerable citizens."

This case was investigated by members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), the Tennessee Department of Children's Services (DCS), the Milan Police Department, and the Lea County, New Mexico Sheriff's Department.

Assistant United States Attorneys Josh Morrow and Lauren Delery prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state 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 about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/pscLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link..

###

For more information, please contact the media relations team at [email protected]. Follow the U.S. Attorney's Office on FacebookLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. or on XLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.