Former DCS worker sentenced to two years, solicitation of a minor for statutory rape
A former employee with the Tennessee Department of Children's Services was sentenced to serve two years in prison without parole after pleading guilty to Solicitation of a Minor for Aggravated Statutory Rape.
Christopher Kenn Baker, sentenced on Aug. 26 by Judge Joseph Howell, received the maximum punishment for his offense that Tennessee law allows and is mandated to adhere to Sex Offender Registry requirements.
On Wednesday, District Attorney General Jody Pickens, 26th Judicial District, announced Baker's sentencing. At the time of his arrest, Baker was employed by DCS, a circumstance Pickens noted as "giving rise to the prosecution."
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The release states the genesis of the case began on March 2, 2023 at a Walmart in Bolivar, Tenn. when Baker left a note on the windshield of a car belonging to a 16-year-old female.
The note was turned in to the Bolivar Police Department before being passed to Jackson Police Department's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. A member of the task force maintained a text message conversation with Baker, posing as the 16-year-old girl.
On March 7, 2023 Baker arranged to meet who he believed was the 16-year-old female on the pretense of engaging in sex. The agreed-upon location was at Malesus Park in Jackson, and when Baker arrived, he instead was met with an arrest by JPD.
On Aug. 28, 2023 a grand jury in Madison County returned an indictment on charges of Solicitation of a Minor for Aggravated Statutory Rape.
Pickens shared that the work of the task force and Assistant District Attorney General Lee Sparks allowed for the exposure of an individual "who should have been protecting children instead of preying upon them."
"This case should serve as a deterrent to adults who solicit minors for sex. The person they are talking with online could be a law enforcement officer working to investigate those individuals who prey upon our young people. We will vigorously prosecute any case involving a minor victim of sex offenses, especially if the defendant charged, is one entrusted with the protection of children," Pickens said.
Sarah Best is a reporter for The Jackson Sun. To support local journalism, subscribe to the Daily Briefing here
This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: DCS worker receives two-year prison sentence, solicitation of a minor
