Lebanon woman sentenced to 28 years for producing, selling child sexual abuse material
LEBANON, Tenn. (WZTV) — A Lebanon woman was sentenced July 27 to more than 28 years in federal prison after admitting she produced child sexual abuse material involving two children under the age of 15 and sold it to a conspirator over a period of nearly three years, federal prosecutors announced.
The investigation began in October 2022 after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children transferred two CyberTips concerning suspected child sexual abuse material uploaded through social media applications to law enforcement.
Investigators traced the account activity to the co-conspirator and recovered child sexual abuse material from his electronic devices.
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In December 2022, federal agents executed a search warrant at the home of Alisha Danielle Scudder of Lebanon and recovered several electronic devices, including a cell phone containing communications with the co-conspirator and child sexual abuse material.
According to court documents, from June 2019 through March 2022, Scudder produced child sexual abuse material involving two children who were under the age of 14.
Investigators say the co-conspirator communicated with Scudder through social media and messaging applications, requested that she produce additional material and paid for images and videos she transmitted.
The co-conspirator traveled from East Tennessee to Middle Tennessee, where more child sexual abuse material was produced on at least one occasion.
"Scudder exploited two vulnerable children, produced child abuse material involving them, and accepted money in exchange for that material," said U.S. Attorney Braden H. Boucek. "Her conduct represents a profound betrayal of the children who depended on her for protection. Our office and our law enforcement partners will continue working together to identify those who exploit children, protect victims, and hold offenders accountable."
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During an interview with investigators, Scudder admitted to producing the material, transmitting it through internet-based applications and receiving payments for some of it.
She was sentenced on July 27 to 340 months, followed by 10 years of supervised release for conspiracy.
Scudder was charged with four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, sex trafficking of children, distribution of child pornography and sale of child pornography.
Appellate court orders resentencing for Bloomington sex offender, reversing two convictions
BLOOMINGTON — A Bloomington man convicted of five sexual violence offense faces resentencing after an appellate court overturned two of them, citing what it said was insufficient evidence.
Richard L. Gaines, 47, appeared Tuesday before Judge Jason Chambers, the McLean County judge who sentenced Gaines to the maximum 59 years in prison more than a year ago. His sentencing hearing was rescheduled to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 5 to give the judge, prosecution and defense time to review the ruling.
Richard L. Gaines
Gaines was found guilty in September 2024 of 12 counts of sexual assault and sexual abuse. When he was first sentenced, those 12 counts were merged into three counts of criminal sexual assault, Class 1 felonies; and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, Class 2 felonies.
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Case background
Gaines initially was charged in 2022 along with co-defendant April S. Mench, 39. At that time, Gaines faced one count of aggravated involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, a Class X felony; soliciting child sex abuse material, a Class 1 felony; eight counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a minor, Class 2 felonies; and four counts of criminal sexual assault, Class 1 felonies.
Before his trial, Mench faced an array of charges but was found guilty only of obstructing justice during her November 2023 trial. She was ordered to serve a sentence of five and a half years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
In a ruling issued in January 2025, 4th District Appellate Court justices reversed Mench's conviction based on insufficient evidence, finding the state failed to prove she obstructed justice "where no evidence was presented that defendant's actions materially impeded the prosecution or apprehension of any person."
Before the start of Gaines' trial, a prosecutor dismissed Gaines' charges of aggravated involuntary sexual servitude of a minor and soliciting child sex abuse material. That left the 12 charges for which he was convicted, which then were merged into five.
Appellate court
On appeal, Gaines argued the state failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he had committed two of the three counts of criminal sexual assault, not arguing the third.
He also called his sentence "excessive," arguing the trial court judge did not take mitigating factors into consideration when issuing the 59-year sentence in January 2025.
The 4th District Appellate Court issued its order Feb. 4, agreeing "the evidence was insufficient to sustain two of the defendant's convictions for criminal sexual assault."
Justice Robert J. Steigmann wrote the the 18-page ruling, and Justices Amy C. Lannerd and David L. Vancil concurred.
In the conclusion of the appellate finding, justices noted they "affirm the trial court's judgment in part, reverse in part, and remand with directions."
The court affirmed three out of five of the defendant's convictions and reversed two of Gaines' highest level convictions. One of those two convictions was completely tossed out, and Gaines was ordered to be resentenced on the other.
Since the counts were merged during his initial sentencing, Gaines will now to be sentenced on four reduced charges, with a penalty range of between three to seven years per count.
Assistant State's Attorney Daniel Guido said the initial offense for which Gaines was convicted and sentenced was an offense of force, which had a range between four and 15 years.
The new reduced charges will be discretionarily consecutive, meaning the trial court judge will decide whether or not the new sentences will be served consecutively, with each to be served at 50%, Guido said.
The appellate court ordered a new sentencing hearing, for which he will be resentenced on the four Class 2 felony counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. That hearing was scheduled to take place Tuesday, Aug. 4.
However, Chambers said Tuesday he had not had enough time to review the case, and he requested to continue the sentencing to allow himself, the state and the defense, represented by Public Defender Ron Lewis, more time to review.
Gaines will be back in court for resentencing Nov. 5.
2 arrested in Madison County child sexual abuse investigation
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of two individuals accused in sex crimes involving children.
Chelsea Marie Elmore and Antony Eugene Ebey are charged in a case stemming from alleged sodomy involving a child, and the production, possession and dissemination of child sexual abuse material.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies responded August 7, meeting with a person who called in a report about the crimes. Deputies reviewed the material provided by the caller and contacted an on-call Criminal Investigations Division detective.
Detectives began working to preserve and recover digital evidence through preservation requests, subpoenas and search warrants.
During the investigation, two individuals identified as Elmore and Ebey were transported to the Criminal Investigations Division for questioning, after which they were arrested.
Detectives also obtained and executed a search warrant at a residence in the Meridianville community.
Elmore is charged with:
- Sodomy, First Degree (victim younger than 12) – no bond
- Sexual Abuse, First Degree – $10,000 bond
- Possession of Child Pornography – $25,000 bond
- Dissemination of Child Pornography – $25,000 bond
- Production of Child Pornography Involving a Minor – no bond
Ebey is charged with:
- Sodomy, First Degree (victim younger than 12 Years) – no bond
- Sexual Abuse, First Degree – $10,000 bond
Both were booked into the Madison County Jail and are being held without bond pending an Aniah’s Law hearing.
“When a child is the victim, we take it personally. Our deputies and detectives worked quickly from the moment this complaint came in to identify those involved and secure the evidence,” Madison County Sheriff Kevin Turner said.
“There is absolutely no place in our community for anyone who sexually abuses or exploits a child. We will use every resource available to us to protect our children and hold those responsible accountable.”
The sheriff’s office said no additional information will be released at this time because of the sensitive nature of the ongoing investigation.
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