Sumner County Sheriff’s Office Arrests Three in Child Exploitation Cases

In a decisive move against child exploitation, the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office has arrested three individuals in separate investigations over the past ten days.

 

The individuals charged are:

 

Cameron Maurer of Hendersonville

 

Nathan Gupton of Gallatin

 

Bryce Tyler of Hendersonville

 

Each has been booked into the Sumner County Jail on charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors.

 

Sheriff Eric Craddock underscored the department's unwavering commitment to protecting children, stating, “Let me be absolutely clear: anyone who preys on children will be investigated, arrested, and held fully accountable.”

 

He emphasized that such crimes are among the most heinous and will not be tolerated in Sumner County.

 

These arrests are part of a broader effort to combat child exploitation in the region.

 

In September, Tracy Lee Crews, a former custodian at a Sumner County elementary school, was convicted on multiple charges for attempting to sexually exploit a 10-year-old student.

 

Crews was found guilty of attempted especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, solicitation of a minor, and 36 counts of attempted exploitation of a minor under thirteen years of age by electronic means.

 

He faces up to 156 years in prison without the possibility of parole.

 

In August, Dennis C. Gilliam of Hendersonville was sentenced to 64 years in prison after being convicted of possessing hundreds of images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children.

 

Authorities discovered materials involving victims as young as five years old during a 2024 investigation.

 

These cases highlight the ongoing efforts by the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office and local law enforcement to aggressively pursue and prosecute individuals involved in child exploitation.

 

The community is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to authorities to help protect the most vulnerable members of society.