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Tenn. man convicted on 34 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor
By CBS affiliate at NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate)
· July 15, 2026
· 1 min read
On Tuesday, a Hendersonville, Tenn. man was convicted of possessing images featuring children engaged in sexual activity.The Sumner County DA said Branden Michael Tompkins, 24, was in the possession of material featuring children engaged in sexual activity.The content was discovered during a 2025...
Key takeaway The Sumner County DA said Branden Michael Tompkins, 24, was in the possession of material featuring children engaged in sexual activity.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The conviction of Branden Michael Tompkins on 34 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor has significant implications for the community. As a resident of Hendersonville, Tompkins' actions may have gone undetected if not for the unrelated investigation that led to the discovery of the disturbing content on his cell phone. The fact that Tompkins faces up to 136 years in prison, with no possibility of probation or early release, sends a strong message about the severity with which Tennessee law enforcement and the courts take crimes involving the exploitation of minors. This case also highlights the importance of thorough investigations, even when they may seem unrelated to the initial crime. The community will be watching as Tompkins' sentencing hearing approaches on October 2, 2026, and will likely be looking for assurance that justice is served and that measures are in place to prevent such heinous crimes from occurring in the future.
About this story
Original reporting by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 15, 2026 ·
Source: NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? On Tuesday, a Hendersonville, Tenn. man was convicted of possessing images featuring children engaged in sexual activity.The Sumner County DA said Branden Michael Tompkins, 24, was in the possession of material featuring children engaged in sexual activity.The content was discovered during a 2025...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 15, 2026 by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CBS affiliate at NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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