Weakley County Man Indicted for Federal Child Sexual Solicitation and Exploitation Offenses

Jackson, TN - A federal grand jury in the Western District of Tennessee recently returned a multi-count indictment charging Zachary Sean Fortner, 36, of Martin, Tennessee, with several child sexual solicitation and exploitation offenses. United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the return of the indictment today.

Fortner's alleged criminal conduct dates back to 2013. During that year, he is alleged to have persuaded and coerced a minor to take nude photographs of herself and send them to him on his cell phone. Later, in 2024, he is alleged to have distributed, received, and possessed child pornographic images and videos via Kik, a social media application.

Fortner is charged with one count of production of child pornography, two counts of receiving and attempting to receive child pornography, one count of distribution of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. The production offense carries a 15-year mandatory-minimum prison sentence, and the receipt and distribution offenses each carry 5-year mandatory-minimum prison terms.

This case is pending before United States District Court Judge S. Thomas Anderson in Jackson. If Fortner is convicted of the charged offenses, Judge Anderson will determine the sentence to impose on the defendant after considering the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "The U.S. Attorney's office and our law enforcement partners remain proactive and vigilant in our investigations and prosecutions of cyber-crimes against vulnerable victims, including the sexual solicitation of minors, and possession and distribution of child pornography. No matter how long it takes, those who exploit minor children will be exposed and held accountable."

This case is being investigated by members of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Martin Police Department, and the District Attorney's Office for the 27th Judicial District of Tennessee.

Anyone with additional information on this case is asked to contact TBI Special Agent Sarah Turner at 615-744-4000 or 1-800-TBI-FIND.

Assistant United States Attorney Josh Morrow is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.

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