A 39-year-old DeKalb County man has been arrested and charged with soliciting sexual exploitation of a minor. According to DeKalb County Sheriff Patrick Ray, Dustin James Farris of Star Drive, Sparta, (DeKalb County) was arrested Thursday morning for the crime. 

Farris, a former deputy with DeKalb, White, Putnam  and Cannon County and a Child Support Investigator in the 13th Judicial District, is charged with two counts of exploitation of a minor by electronic means, and one count of sexual contact with a minor by authority figure, after a special-called session of the DeKalb County Grand Jury heard testimony. The grand jury found probable cause to indict him. Most recently, Farris had been employed with the Overton County Sheriff’s Department where he served as a school resource officer.

Farris was given a $100,000 bond and will be in court on Jan. 18, 2023 to answer to the indictment.

According to the indictment, between the dates of May 31, 2022 and July 24, 2022 in DeKalb County, Farris did unlawfully by means of oral, written, or electronic communication, electronic mail or internet service, including webcam communications, directly or through another, to intentionally command, hire, persuade, induce, or cause a minor to engage in simulated sexual activity that is patently offensive or in sexual activity, where such simulated sexual activity or sexual activity is observed by that person or another and that Farris is 18 years of age or older.

Counts 2 and 3 of the indictment allege that, “between the dates of May 31, 2022 and July 24, 2022 in DeKalb County, Farris did unlawfully 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 4 of the indictment alleges that, “between the dates of May 31, 2022 and July 24, 2022 in DeKalb County, Farris engaged in unlawful sexual contact with a minor when the defendant at the time of the offense was in a position of trust or had supervisory or disciplinary power over the minor by virtue of the defendant’s legal, professional or occupational status and used the position of trust or power to accomplish the sexual contact. The defendant intentionally touched or kissed the minor’s lips with the defendant’s lips and such touching can be reasonably construed as being for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification."