NEWTON – A Laurel man faces numerous charges after an online exploitation investigation.

The Newton Police Department says that yesterday morning (9/3/26), at approximately 6:41 AM, 35-year-old Tanner Boone Bartlett was taken into custody at his home by members of the Newton Police Department and transported to the Jasper County Jail.

Bartlett was reportedly identified as the suspect in an online exploitation investigation in which he was allegedly engaged in online communication of a sexual nature with a detective posing as a minor.

Bartlett now faces a total of 10 charges, including:

• Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (Class B felony)
• Grooming (Class D felony)
• Enticing a Minor Under 16 for a Sexual Purpose (Class D felony)
• 7 counts of Distribution of Obscene Material to a Minor (aggravated misdemeanor)