Blount County authorities says 64-year-old Jeffrey Lynn Nugent, Sr. of Maryville was arrested last night for 16 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. He was taken to jail and initially placed under bonds totaling $1.7 million dollars and will be arraigned in court tomorrow.

Investigators received information through the ICAC Task Force (Internet Crimes Against Children) that led them to investigate Nugent. On March 4, 2021, deputies along with a SWAT team executed a search warrant at Nugent’s property located on U.S. Highway 411 South and on Chota Road.

Nugent was taken into custody on March 4, 2021 and served with one warrant for sexual exploitation of a minor. He was released the same day on a $65,000 bond.

During the course of the investigation, authorities allegedly found a total of 16 images of child pornography on electronic devices owned by Nugent.

Last night, investigators re-arrested Nugent on the new charges. Information obtained by investigators determined Nugent also destroyed multiple electronic devices prior to his second arrest, thus leading to a charge of tampering with evidence.

Investigators are continuing their inquiry into the case and additional charges could be forthcoming.