safety
Tennessee man paid minors across the U.S. to send him sexual exploitation videos via social media, TBI says
By Chasity Maynard at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 17, 2026
· 2 min read
What This Story Is AboutA Tennessee man is accused of targeting minors on social media and then paying them in exchange for receiving sexually exploitative videos. Why It MattersThe Tennessee Bureau of Investigation arrested Tristan Hicks following an investigation, but they are asking for more i...
Key takeaway Catch UpThis week, a Hendersonville man was convicted of 34 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The arrest of Tristan Hicks for alleged child sexual exploitation has significant implications for the safety of minors in Nashville and surrounding areas. As the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation continues to investigate, it's crucial for parents and guardians to be aware of the potential risks associated with social media platforms like TikTok and Snapchat. The fact that Hicks was able to solicit and pay minors for explicit content using these platforms raises concerns about the effectiveness of their safety measures. The TBI's Internet Crimes Against Children unit plays a vital role in combating such crimes, and their collaboration with local law enforcement agencies is essential in bringing perpetrators to justice. As the investigation unfolds, it's likely that more victims will come forward, highlighting the need for increased vigilance and education on online safety in local communities, including Nashville's own neighborhoods and schools.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC 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 WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? What This Story Is AboutA Tennessee man is accused of targeting minors on social media and then paying them in exchange for receiving sexually exploitative videos. Why It MattersThe Tennessee Bureau of Investigation arrested Tristan Hicks following an investigation, but they are asking for more i...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Chasity Maynard at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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