A McMinn County man wanted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation on three counts of especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor surrendered was arrested when he arrived at the Cumberland County Justice Center to surrender himself.
Cody Shane Gunter, 29, Mount Harmony Rd., Niota, was taken into custody sitting in a 2009 Nissan Rouge in the Justice Center parking lot where he had gone to surrender himself to face the charges brought by Rhea County.
Crossville Police Sptl. Keyton Harthun was one of several on-duty officers advised to be on the lookout for the vehicle and the suspect and found both in the parking lot. After talking with Gunter, Harthun escorted the suspect into the Justice Center for booking.
TBI agents arrived and spoke to Gunter prior to the incarceration, according to an arrest report.
A TBI press release reported Gunter was charged during a TBI operation conducted “earlier this year to identify exploitation and sextortion victims.”
Gunter was arrested in April during Operation Protecting Tomorrow and charged with sexual exploitation of a minor and solicitation of a minor.
“While investigating that case, TBI special agents with the Internet Crimes Against Children squad developed additional information linking Gunter to the production of child sexual abuse material,” the TBI press release stated.
“Further investigation by agents led to the identification of those victims last month and arrest warrants were obtained charging Gunter with three counts of especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor.”
Law-enforcement agencies in Cumberland, Fentress and Rhea counties, along with Crossville and Graysville police departments, were notified to be on the lookout for Gunter.
Gunter turned surrendered to police in Crossville and is being held without bond.
“The charges and allegations referenced in this release are merely accusations of criminal conduct and not evidence,” the TBI release concluded. “The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of the law.”