First appearance for Maryville man arrested on five counts of sexual exploitation of minors

A Maryville man made his first appearance in Blount County General Sessions Court Tuesday morning on five charges alleging sexual exploitation of a minor.

Dale Paul Baki appeared before Judge Robert L. Headrick of Division IV of the Blount County General Sessions Court on Tuesday, October 8 at 9:00 a.m. for the 9:00 a.m. hearing. Originally arrested by Maryville police officers on September 24 for two probation violations Baki was further charged after Blount County Sheriff’s investigators discovered files on his electronic devices containing images of minors engaged in sexual or simulated sexual activity, according to affidavits of a complaint filed with the court on October 4.

For each count, Baki is alleged to have been in possession of sexually explicit files totaling more than 100. He was held in lieu of bonds totaling $107,500 pending Tuesday’s hearing, at which Headrick also placed the following conditions stated if he should withdraw:

The suspect is not allowed to have contact with anyone under the age of 18, with the exception of his own children under supervision. The suspect shall not have access to any mobile or other electronic device connected to the Internet.

At the time of reporting, Baki remains in custody awaiting a follow-up hearing at 9 a.m. on October 29.