Grand jury indicts Kingsport man on child sex charges

A Sullivan County grand jury has indicted a Kingsport man on 28 felony counts of especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, aggravated statutory rape, and exploitation by electronic means.

It was law enforcement in Des Moines, Iowa who alerted local officials about Jeremy Hale, 45, of Fordtown Road.

Their evidence showed Hale traded electronic messages and photos with what he thought were underage girls, but were in fact undercover agents. Police also gained access to Hale’s Facebook and Google accounts to recover evidence in the case.

(IMAGE: Provided for media use by Sullivan County, TN Sheriff’s Office)