Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Exploiting a Minor by Using an Online Video Game Platform

Jackson, TN - Benjamin Franklin Harden, 30, formerly of Jackson, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for enticing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of the conduct, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a). United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant, for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the imposition of the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, in early 2025, Harden befriended an 11-year-old boy from West Virginia while playing the online video game "Call of Duty." The two exchanged phone numbers and began communicating with each other via text messages, phone calls, and video chats. Harden asked the minor to take nude photographs and send them to him, and the minor complied. Harden and the minor also had live video chats where they performed sexual acts on themselves.

Harden instructed the minor to delete any trace of their communications on his cell phone, but the minor's mother found some of their messages and photos and called the police. Investigators determined that Harden was living in Madison County, and the case was referred to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Jackson for further investigation.

FBI agents determined that Harden was convicted of aggravated sexual battery in Hamilton County, Tennessee in 2016 and was required to register as a sex offender under Tennessee law. FBI agents also learned that Harden had recently moved to Georgia. In June 2025, FBI agents located Harden at his place of employment in Georgia. During an interview, Harden admitted to engaging in an illegal online relationship with the 11-year-old West Virginia boy.

Following his guilty plea as charged earlier this year, United States District Court Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Harden on October 15, 2026 to 360 months' imprisonment and five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

After he is released from prison, Harden will have to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration & Notification Act (SORNA).

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Because sexual predators will use any means to gain access to minors, parents should be vigilant in monitoring online gaming, social media, and cellphone activities for threats to their children. Let this sentence serve notice to those who entice, exploit, and victimize minor children: Despite efforts to avoid detection, you cannot hide - we will track you down, and you will be held accountable for such disturbing and predatory criminal conduct."

"Protecting children is a commitment we owe every child, every family, and every community," said Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly of the FBI Nashville Field Office. "This sentence is a powerful statement that crimes against children will be met with the full force of the law, and those who prey on the most vulnerable must answer for their actions. The FBI and our partners will continue to work tirelessly to investigate these crimes, stand with victims and survivors, and hold offenders accountable."

This case was investigated by the FBI Nashville Field Office - Jackson Resident Agency, the Tennessee Department of Correction (Parole & Probation Office), and the Martinsburg, West Virginia Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorney Josh Morrow prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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