John Bruce Spaulding
A Hamilton County sheriff deputy has been arrested for the second time on child sex charges.
John Bruce Spaulding, 49, was indicted by the Hamilton County Grand Jury on six counts of sexual exploitation of a minor following an investigation by the TBI.
On June 22, TBI special agents received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. That tip indicated that on May 2 an individual was in possession of images suspected to be child pornography on his cell phone, it was stated.
As a result of that investigation, agents developed information that Spaulding was the individual with those images on his phone.
Spaulding faced similar charges in 2010 in White County, Tn. The charges arose while he was still living in White County. He had moved to Chattanooga and joined the sheriff's office prior to being charged.
Sheriff Jim Hammond said Spaulding was suspended while that case was going on, but it was ultimately dismissed and he asked for his job back. He said, "With the charges dismissed for lack of proof, we were obligated to take him back."
Spaulding has been working patrol for the sheriff's office since that time.
The earlier case resulted from a joint investigation with the Department of Children's Services and the district attorney general’s office. Authorities were contacted by DCS to assist with the investigation of allegations against Spaulding.
A White County detective said at the time, “We want to protect the children of White County, and we will investigate all allegations of any wrong-doing, especially when it comes to children.”
He said there were two alleged victims under the age of 13.
At the time, White County Sheriff Oddie Shoupe said, “It doesn’t matter who you are, no one is above the law in White County. If you break the law, we’re gonna catch you and put you in jail.”
In the new charge, the indictment said on May 2 that Spaulding possessed material that included a minor engaged in sexual activity or simulated sexual activity.
Spaulding, who has been released on $10,000 bond, is suspended from the sheriff's office without pay.