Local
Jimmy Neal gets 7½ years in federal prison in child sexual abuse material case
Former Putnam County Commissioner and Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper Jimmy Neal was sentenced to 7½ years in federal prison after pleading guilty to four counts. He must also pay $30,000 in restitution and serve 10 years of supervised release.
Former Putnam County Commissioner and Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper Jimmy Neal was sentenced to 7½ years in federal prison on Oct. 15 in a case involving child sexual abuse material, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Neal also was ordered to pay $30,000 in restitution and will face 10 years of supervised release after prison. He must report to prison by Oct. 23.
Neal originally faced charges of possessing, receiving and distributing child sexual abuse material, and later pleaded guilty to four counts. Federal investigators said he helped operate an online group where the material was shared.
The FBI began investigating the group in July 2021 after an Oklahoma man was arrested on child pornography charges. Investigators identified other users, and FBI and Homeland Security Investigations agents searched Neal’s home. He was arrested on May 26, 2022.