MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – A tip from a concerned citizen led to a Memphis man’s arrest after police found images and videos of sexual abuse with multiple minors.
Memphis Police say their Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force began investigating Cedric Jackson in April. That led them to more information and a case nearly two decades old.
It started with a community member who found a disturbing picture on a cell phone and took it straight to the police. That tip led investigators to Jackson.
The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force dug deeper, uncovering cloud storage with nearly 100 pictures and videos showing sexual abuse and a 2008 case involving another minor that closed due to police not having enough evidence.
Neighbors along Jackson’s street say they never saw it coming.
Community trust exploited
“They saw Mr. Jackson as safe, someone they could trust,” said Sgt. Joshua Davis of the Memphis Police Department.
Davis said neighbors described Jackson as a caring person, someone who was always willing to lend a hand in the community.
“He will go out of his way to help parents and grandparents in the neighborhood with their children so that he can earn their trust and have alone time with the children,” Davis said.
Davis said Jackson admitted he sexually abused the minors, identifying multiple victims himself.
Jackson is now charged with rape, three counts of rape of a child and three counts of especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor.
Parents urged to talk with children
Davis encouraged parents to sit down and have an open conversation with their children and to dispel myths.
“Sexual predators are going to pull in a white van and drive away and that’s not always the case,” Davis said.
He encouraged talking about boundaries and the difference between a good touch and a bad touch.
“There are people who put themselves in a position of trust so they can have parents lower their guard so that they can have time with the children,” Davis said.
Jackson is currently at Shelby County Jail on a $3.6 million bond.
For Davis, this case is about more than an arrest. It’s about justice for the children and others who may be out there.
“But the key take away is that we now have what could possibly be a prolific sexual predator off the streets and we’re continuing to make Memphis safer and stronger,” Davis said.
The investigation is ongoing. Investigators believe there may be additional victims who haven’t come forward. Anyone with information or who believes they may be a victim is asked to call the ICAC Task Force at 901-636-3240. Support and advocacy resources are available.
Click here to sign up for our newsletter!
Click here to report a spelling or grammar error. Please include the headline.
Copyright 2026 WMC. All rights reserved.
