Former Chattanooga police officer indicted on possession of child pornography

The TBI is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Cookeville.
The TBI is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Cookeville.

A former officer who was being investigated by the FBI days after he resigned from the Chattanooga Police Department last year has been indicted on possession of child pornography.

Bryan Moody III was first placed on administrative leave on May 5 before resigning four days later. An internal affairs investigation was opened by the department but withheld from members of the media because the investigation was ongoing.

"The United States Attorney charges that in or about April, 2017, in the Eastern District of Tennessee, the Defendant, Bryan Deuinn Moody, III, knowingly accessed and attempted to access with intent to view material that contained an image of child pornography," the indictment states.

Chattanooga Police Chief David Roddy condemned Moody after the indictment, saying his actions hurt the department.

"I am disgusted and disappointed by the unethical, criminal behavior of this former officer. When an officer is indicted on charges such as this it damages the honorable and commendable things your police officers do to assist community members every day," he said.

The Times Free Press previously reported Moody was exonerated after another internal affairs investigation five years ago, that time in connection with the fatal shooting of a man who broke into a home.

Moody was one of four officers who responded to a break-in in the 1300 block of Florida Street just after midnight on Aug. 12, 2012. The officers surrounded the home within minutes and opened fire when Robert Lovell, 31, jumped out a back window and pointed a shotgun at officers.

Lovell was struck twice - once in the chest and once in the thigh. He died at the scene and the homicide was deemed justified the following month.

Contact staff writer Emmett Gienapp at egienapp@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6731. Follow him on Twitter @emmettgienapp.

Upcoming Events