Grand Jury Indicts MCJHS Volunteer Coach

 By Debbie Gregory

The Macon County Grand Jury indicted Tanner Jack Cleary, who was a volunteer coach at Macon County Junior High School, on solicitation of a minor charges.

According to the District Attorney’s Office in a telephone conversation, the Macon County Sheriffs Department was contacted by the Macon County Junior High School, stating that there was possibly a problem involving a volunteer coach. The Sheriffs Office conducted an investigation, and after information was gathered, it was presented to the Macon County Grand Jury, who returned a sealed indictment.
The sealed indictment was served and Mr. Cleary, age 19, was arrested on December 27, 2017. He was charged with one count of soliciting sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of solicitation of a minor.
The indictment reads:
(Count 1) The Grand Jurors of Macon County, Tennessee, duly empanelled and sworn upon their oath present that Tanner Jack Cleary between August 2017 and December 2017 in Macon County, and before the finding of this indictment, did unlawfully and intentionally display to a minor, or expose a minor to, any material containing simulated sexual activity that is patently offensive or sexual activity if the purpose of the display can reasonably be construed as being for the sexual arousal or gratification of the minor or the person displaying the material.
(Count 2) The Grand Jurors of Macon County, Tennessee, duly empanelled and sworn upon their oath present that between August 2017 and December 2017 in Macon County, Tennessee, and before the finding of this indictment, did unlawfully and knowingly by means of oral, written or electronic communication, electronic mail or internet services, directly or through another, when the said Tanner Jack Cleary is eighteen (18) years of age or older, to intentionally command, request, hire, persuade, invite or attempt to induce a person whom the person making the solicitation knows, or should know, is less than 18 years of age, to engage in conduct that, if completed, would constitute a violation by the soliciting adult of sexual activity involving a minor.
A court date for Mr. Tanner Jack Cleary is set for January 22, 2018.