East Tennessee Couple Sentenced to 15 Years for Child Sexual Exploitation
Two East Tennessee residents convicted of the sexual exploitation of a child received 15-year prison sentences on October 29, 2026, according to the United States Department of Justice.
The Tech TL;DR:
- Darrison Randall Hood, 21, and Keirsten Armanda Grace Hooper, 24, were each sentenced to 180 months in federal prison by United States District Judge Katherine A. Crytzer in Knoxville.
- Investigators discovered the offense after a minor female victim received a distributed digital video file over Snapchat from an unknown account.
- The case was prosecuted under Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative active since May 2006.
Federal Prosecution and Guilty Pleas in Knoxville Court
Darrison Randall Hood of Wartburn, Tennessee, and Keirsten Armanda Grace Hooper of Sunbright, Tennessee, appeared before United States District Judge Katherine A. Crytzer in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Knoxville on October 29, 2026, where the 180-month prison terms were handed down. According to filed court documents cited by the Department of Justice, the defendants were charged in a joint indictment and subsequently entered plea agreements to plead guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a child under 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a)(e).
The investigation began after a minor female victim reported receiving a video file via Snapchat originating from an unknown account. Investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Ninth Judicial District Task Force, and the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office examined the digital media, which showed the minor victim in an intoxicated state being assaulted. According to court records, Hooper was observed assaulting the victim with a semi-automatic handgun, while Hood recorded the incident.
Execution of Search Warrants and Evidence Recovery
Following the victim’s report, law enforcement personnel executed a search warrant at Hood’s residence. Investigators located the semi-automatic handgun used during the assault. In subsequent interviews with law enforcement, Hood admitted to owning the firearm, producing the digital recording, and distributing the file to the minor victim. Although Hood stated to investigators that he subsequently deleted the video file from his device, the federal indictment was supported.
U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III for the Eastern District of Tennessee and Special Agent in Charge Terrence G. Riley of the FBI Nashville Field Office announced the sentences. The multi-agency investigation was led by FBI Task Force Officer Cortney Dugger, with Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Kolman prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. WVLT reported that the defendants’ guilty pleas resolved the charges prior to trial.
Supervised Release and Mandatory Registry Compliance
Under the terms of the sentencing order issued by Judge Crytzer, Hood and Hooper will both be subjected to a 10-year term of supervised release following the completion of their 180-month prison sentences. Both defendants must also comply fully with Sex Offender Registry requirements.
The prosecution was structured under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative launched in May 2006 to coordinate federal, state, and local resources in investigating and prosecuting crimes involving child sexual exploitation and abuse.