Maryville, Tennessee – A Tennessee man will spend years behind bars after federal authorities uncovered a plan that placed children at serious risk, bringing a swift response from law enforcement and a strong sentence in federal court.
Ryan Patrick Garrett, 41, of Maryville, Tennessee, was sentenced on March 18, 2026, to 120 months in federal prison by United States District Judge Katherine A. Crytzer in Knoxville. In addition to the prison term, Garrett will be placed on 30 years of supervised release once he is released. As part of those conditions, he will be required to register with state sex offender registries and follow strict supervision rules tied to sex offender cases.
The case stems from a federal charge of attempted enticement, to which Garrett pleaded guilty under a plea agreement filed with the court. The charge falls under federal law and carries severe penalties due to the nature of the offense and the age of the intended victims.
Undercover Investigation Leads to Arrest
According to court records, the case began on March 13, 2025, when detectives with the Knoxville Police Department and agents from Homeland Security Investigations launched an operation targeting online crimes against children. The investigation was carried out through the Tennessee Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, a coordinated effort involving dozens of law enforcement agencies across the state.
Authorities say the investigation revealed that Garrett had been communicating and making plans to meet with individuals he believed were a nine-year-old and a twelve-year-old. The intent, according to investigators, was to engage in illegal sexual activity.
Law enforcement set up a meeting location in Knoxville as part of the operation. When Garrett arrived at the agreed-upon place, officers were already in position.
He was taken into custody immediately upon arrival, bringing an end to what officials described as a dangerous situation that could have had serious consequences if not stopped in time.
Coordinated Effort Across Agencies
The arrest and prosecution were the result of a coordinated effort involving multiple agencies. The Knoxville Police Department served as the lead agency for the ICAC Task Force, which includes 74 state and local law enforcement partners. The task force operates with support from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
The investigation itself was led by HSI KPD ICAC Task Force Officer Tom Evans, whose work helped bring the case forward. Federal prosecutors noted that such collaboration is essential in identifying and stopping individuals who attempt to exploit children.
Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Kolman represented the government in court, while U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III announced the sentencing.
Part of Nationwide Initiative
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide program launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice. The initiative focuses on identifying, tracking, and prosecuting individuals involved in the exploitation of children.
Through this program, federal, state, and local agencies work together to locate suspects, prevent harm, and protect potential victims. The goal is not only to prosecute offenders but also to intervene before abuse can occur.
Garrett’s sentence reflects the seriousness of the offense and the federal government’s continued effort to address crimes involving the exploitation of minors. With a decade in prison followed by decades of supervision, the outcome of the case underscores the long-term consequences tied to such actions.
Officials say the case also highlights the importance of proactive investigations, where law enforcement steps in before harm can take place, ensuring that vulnerable individuals are protected and those responsible are held accountable.
