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Hardin County man charged with possessing child pornography

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Federal prosecutors say a Tennessee man has been charged with coercing girls to appear in sex videos.

The U.S. attorney’s office in Memphis said Tuesday that 30-year-old Andrew Hilmar Sanchez has been indicted on charges of production of child pornography and possession of child pornography.

Prosecutors say Sanchez, of Savannah, coerced three girls under the age of 10 to engage in sex acts in videos. He faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted of those charges at trial.

Prosecutors also allege Sanchez had cellphone video of minors under 12 having sex. On that charge, he faces 10 years in prison if convicted.

Sanchez’s lawyer did not respond to a call seeking comment Tuesday.

The case was investigated under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative to combat child sexual exploitation.

A mugshot for Sanchez was not released.