Dandridge Man Accused of Child Sex Crimes Using Snapchat

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — A Dandridge man has been charged with 20 counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor following a two-month investigation into reported child sex crimes via Snapchat, Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Coffey said.

On Wednesday morning, Coffey shared on social media that a Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office detective spent two months investigating the exploitation of a minor.

Detectives and officers arrested William “Nick” Eden, 36, of Dandridge on 20 counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of soliciting a minor to observe sexual conduct, Coffey explained. He is being held on $1 million bail.

Coffey added that the investigation revealed the alleged crimes took place through the social media platform Snapchat.

“As your sheriff, I cannot stress enough how important it is to monitor what your children are doing, especially on any social media platform,” Coffey wrote. “These platforms provide perpetrators with the opportunity to disguise themselves and victimize our children. So take the initiative and monitor your children’s use of these platforms before they too become victims.”