Grandfather Convicted of Possessing Child Pornography

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Child Abuse Unit obtained a conviction against Howard Finnis Melton, Jr., 68, for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. After deliberating for less than ten minutes, the jury returned their verdict, and Judge Bob McGee ordered Melton into custody.

At trial, Assistant District Attorneys Rachel Russell and Joanie Stewart explained to the jury that on June 16, 2015, a report was made to Knoxville Police Department Investigator Jonathan Harris that years earlier, Melton showed two elementary school girls a copy of a”Girls Gone Wild” pornographic DVD. He told the children that girls frequently act like the women in the DVD and that they needed to go make their own video. The victims testified that they made a video and gave it to Melton. When searching Melton’s residence, Inv. Harris discovered a DVD labeled”[Victim’s Names] Girls Gone Wild Movie” in Melton’s handwriting. The contents of the DVD had been deleted.

Sexual Exploitation of a Minor is a Class D felony that carries a sentence between two and four years in prison. Judge McGee set the case for sentencing on June 2.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.