Cookeville, TN – On June 4, 2025, Erich Lee Begley was arrested in Cookeville, Tennessee, on an indictment issued by the Putnam County Criminal Court. The charges include: Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Minor, Sexual Battery by an Authority Figure, Solicitation of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, and Aggravated Sexual Battery (X3). Begley is being held on a $500,000 bond.

The charges stem from a multi-agency effort involving the Cookeville Police Department and the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation involved allegations pertaining to several juvenile victims. Disclosures were made by minors from two separate families, reporting incidents that occurred between May and July 2024 at locations in both Cookeville and Cumberland County.

As part of the investigation, forensic interviews were conducted at the Upper Cumberland Child Advocacy Center. On July 17, 2024, investigators executed a search warrant at a residence on Scott Avenue in Cookeville where multiple electronic devices were seized during the search. A forensic examination of these devices, conducted in coordination with the United States Secret Service, revealed evidence that supported the victims’ disclosures and led to the issuance of the indictment.

The Cookeville Police Department is grateful for the collaboration with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, the Upper Cumberland Child Advocacy Center, Department of Children Services, and the United States Secret Service. Our agencies remain committed to thoroughly investigating all allegations of abuse and ensuring justice for the most vulnerable members of our community.