SUMNER COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — A Sumner County man could spend the rest of his life in prison after a jury found him guilty of crimes against children.

The jury convicted Dennis Gilliam of 20 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.

"I didn't see a lot of emotion," Sumner County Assistant District Attorney Nathan Nichols said. "There wasn't anybody there in terms of supporting him."

Prosecutors said the evidence against Gilliam is disturbing, and the videos involved child rape and torture.

"It was very graphic," Nichols said. "It is very hard on a jury."

"In every single picture and video, we witnessed the crimes that are happening against these children," Sumner County Assistant District Attorney Tara Wyllie said.

Deputies raided Gilliam's home after a group of independent investigators saw him in a chat room exchanging pictures. They find a cell phone in his nightstand.

"When they downloaded those devices, they found hundreds of pictures and videos depicting the sexual abuse and rape and torture of children," Nichols said.

Prosecutors said they don't know where the images originated.

"Every child has a face, and you know they're real," Nichols said. "Your heart breaks for them because they're going through terrible things."

A judge will decide Gilliam's fate in August. He is looking at 120 years in prison without parole.

Prosecutors said they're thankful for the independent group's help, but they encouraged anyone with information about a suspect to call police rather than confronting them.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/sumner-county-man-convicted-of-child-sex-crimes/