Chattanooga Man Arrested After Disturbing Encounter at AT&T Store
Authorities Investigate Alarming Claims of Child Pornography
In a shocking turn of events here in Chattanooga, a local man, who is already on the sex offender registry, has landed himself in deep trouble once again. This past Monday, reports surfaced that 73-year-old Randall Fraley was accused of asking for assistance from an AT&T employee to transfer media from his cellphone to another device. But what the employee found on that phone was downright disturbing – child pornography.
Previous Conviction Raises Red Flags
Fraley isn’t a stranger to legal issues. Back in 1994, he was convicted of sexual battery, involving unlawful sexual contact with a minor, and has since been listed on the Tennessee sex offender registry. It’s a history that raises significant concern about his recent actions. An affidavit detailing the incident revealed that Fraley walked into the AT&T store in Hixson, hoping to copy some media over. However, things took a dark turn when the employee opened the phone.
The Startling Discovery
The employee quickly noticed inappropriate content while trying to help Fraley. Allegedly, when he accessed the recently used apps, he stumbled upon a child’s image that left him horrified – a very young child on a bed, wearing only a shirt while the lower body was completely exposed. The employee reported what he saw, prompting immediate action from law enforcement.
Investigation Unfolds Rapidly
As investigators from the Chattanooga Police Department arrived at the scene, they reviewed the shocking materials as well. The case was eventually handed over to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office due to jurisdictional issues.
During follow-up interviews, the AT&T employee described the child in the image as roughly 3 to 4 years old, which is horrifying to say the least. Residents can understand why this discovery has sent ripples of fear through the community. It wasn’t Fraley’s first run-in with the AT&T staff, either. A couple of weeks prior, he had visited the same location for help navigating his phone, where an employee had also spotted what appeared to be inappropriate content of a male teenager. However, at that time, the age ambiguity didn’t compel them to alert the authorities.
Fraley’s Defense and Current Status
In a twist, when confronted by deputies about the child pornography, Fraley claimed he had watched a video on YouTube that featured the disturbing content and subsequently recorded it. Seems like a flimsy excuse, right? Authorities weren’t buying it, and a series of Fraley’s devices were confiscated, pending search warrants.
Fraley now finds himself in a whole heap of trouble, sitting in custody with a hefty bond of $100,000. He is slated to appear in general sessions court this coming Monday. The gravity of the situation is not lost on community members, some of whom are understandably concerned about how someone with Fraley’s history could be allowed to walk free for so long.
Community Reaction
Residents of Chattanooga are expressing outrage and disbelief over these revelations. The thought that someone with a past like Fraley’s could potentially continue to pose a threat to children is alarming. The local community is keeping a close eye on the case as it unfolds, hoping that justice is served.
As always, if you notice anything suspicious or concerning in your own neighborhood, make sure to report it to local authorities. Our children’s safety is a priority, and the community must remain vigilant.
