Police are looking for more victims after Erin-man is accused of child rape

ERIN, Tenn. (WKRN) – Erin police have asked Middle Tennessee parents to talk to their children following the arrest of a man in his 30s accused of raping a child and possessing child pornography. The police now fear that there could be more victims.

Adam Patterson is accused of raping an 11-year-old girl and has been booked into the Houston County Jail.

Adam Patterson (Courtesy of Erin Police)

“We have an 11-year-old victim whose life has been changed…,” Erin Assistant Police Chief Rick Gordon said. “At this time, over 50 images of child pornography have been found on his cell phone and we are still in the process of dumping the electronic evidence we have.”

Gordon also urges parents to check their children’s devices, including phones, tablets and even Play Stations. He warns that predators often create fake accounts to disguise themselves while chatting with children on the Internet.

“If you don’t monitor your child’s electronics, he or she is opening up to a world where he or she is in grave danger,” Gordon said. “This child needs all kinds of therapy to live a normal life. These predators don’t care. They don’t care what they do to your child.”

According to Gordon, police were responding to a restraining order call from the victim’s mother when an officer discovered inappropriate images of the 11-year-old on a tablet in the home. Gordon said he believes Patterson has violated the victim since she was nine years old and is now working tirelessly to bring her justice.

He also wants Patterson to be held accountable for any other child victims he may have had dealings with.

“When you have victims like that, they’re helpless,” Gordon added. ‘That is our job: to protect. My whole purpose here is to bring Mr. Adam Patterson to justice.”

At the time of publication, Patterson remains in the Houston County Jail on a $1.16 million bond and faces a slew of charges, including:

• 2 counts of rape of a child
• 2 counts aggravated battery
• 2 mainly concerns aggravated exploitation of a child
• Sexual exploitation of a minor
• Violation of a protective order
• Inviting a minor

The Erin Police Department thanked Doug Kimbro of the Dickson County Sheriff’s Office for his assistance with forensics.

Patterson’s first court appearance is Oct. 21.

Police have asked parents in and around Erin to view Patterson’s photo with their child and to call them immediately if their child has come into contact with him. You can reach the Erin Police Department at (931) 289-2727 or call 911.