Loudon County, TN (WOKI / WVLT) – A Lenoir City man is convicted of child sex crimes and sentenced to decades behind bars.

District Attorney General Russell Johnson says the conviction of Emilio Ortiz comes after a multi-agency investigation uncovered years of abuse documented in “disturbing digital evidence.”

The case was complicated after the victim, who is now an older teenager, tried to solicit money from Ortiz under the threat of exposing the abuse.

In October 2020, Ortiz confirmed details of the abuse and agreed to meet up with who he thought was the victim at a dollar store but was met by law enforcement and arrested.

About 1,000 images of child sexual abuse material involving the victim from ages six through 17 was found and a second abuse victim was found during the search of his belongings.

Ortiz, who was previously convicted of felony crimes in another state and once served as a scout leader, has been in Loudon County Jail since 2020, according to Johnson.

“The case has been delayed from coming to this conclusion for multiple reasons: Ortiz has continually been appointed taxpayer funded attorneys that he has filed bar complaints against and ultimately fired, with the current attorney being his fifth,” Johnson said.

“Despite his prior criminal record and prior sexual abuse allegations from another state, Ortiz had maintained a reputation in the community as a devoted family man, business owner, and scout leader,” Johnson continued. “Investigators believe Ortiz used this perceived trustworthiness to gain access to vulnerable children, including those who were friends with his own children.”

Ortiz, was convicted of especially aggravated sexual exploitation and aggravated sexual battery. He was sentenced on Monday to serve 20 years in prison.