A joint investigation involving the Knox County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO), the FBI, and multiple partner agencies has resulted in a 35-year federal prison sentence for a Knoxville man convicted of child sexual exploitation.

Christopher Michael Anderson, 45, was sentenced on October 14 following a lengthy inquiry led by KCSO Family Crimes Detective Vanessa Nieves. The multi-agency effort included the KCSO Family Crimes and Cyber Investigations Units, the FBI, the Childhelp Forensics Unit, and the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services.

Highlighting the collaborative nature of the case, Detective Nieves specifically commended Stephanie Vanwinkle of the Cyber Investigations Unit for going above and beyond to help bring the case to a successful resolution.

KCSO officials emphasized that while much of the work done by family crimes and cyber units occurs quietly and behind the scenes under difficult circumstances, these efforts are vital to protecting vulnerable children in the community.