Bobby Howard Cook - Repeat Sex Offender - Guilty

A Johnson City man pleaded guilty today in federal court to receiving child pornography, his second such conviction since 1997.

Bobby Howard Cook, 55, faces a mandatory miniumum prison term of 15 years and a maximum of 40 years, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Cook appeared in U.S. District and admitted to receiving child pornography, which had been transported in intestate commerce. Sentencing was set for Feb. 1, 2010.

He previously served 33 months in federal prison after being convicted in 1997.

Because this is a second conviction for receiving child pornography and child molestation, he faces the lengthy prison term as well as a maximum fine of $250,000.

A federal grand jury indicted Cook on July 14 on two counts of receiving child pornography after he was arrested July 9 on a criminal complaint.

The charges were the result of a joint investigation by the FBI and Hawkins County Sheriff's Department.

"25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years"
.........Sarah Tofte