MILLINGTON, Tenn. — A former Millington reserve officer has been charged with sex crimes involving a minor.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office confirms Rickie Friar, 66, is charged with sexual exploitation of a minor and especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor and solicitation.
People in Friar’s North Bay neighborhood in Millington are very alarmed by this news. Not only because kids are always outside playing, but because they’ve seen two young children inside his house this month.
Miss Madison lives across the street. She said, “You never know you live by.”
Madison asked us not to use her first name but told us she feels blindsided and scared that one of her neighbors is being investigated for child porn. She lives across the street from Rickie Friar and her daughter is always playing outside.
“She’ll be out here riding her bike and her scooter and roller skating. I’m glad we are always out here with them,” She explained.
More than 30 years ago, Rickie Friar served as a Shelby County Sheriffs Deputy and until the news of this investigation broke, a reservist for the Millington Police.
That means he’s POST certified, had a uniform and a weapon, but never got paid. Millington Police Chief Frank Tennant told WREG Friar helped with events, like parking cars for the fourth of July.
Now he’s on the other side of the law facing a list of charges including sexual exploitation of a child.
Monday night Shelby County Sheriff Deputies got a tip Friar was in Arkansas.
Shelby County Sheriffs Office spokesman Chip Washington explained, “The Arkansas State Police made contact and arrested him. He’s in Russellville waiting to be extradited back here.”
If convicted these charges could send Friar to prison for the rest of his life. Neighbors worry what will happen if gets out on bond.
“We’ve never had anything go on in this neighborhood. It’s quiet, decent,” Madison added.
As of now, investigators aren’t saying what specific crime friar committed, but the charges hint at child porn.
