A known sex offender has been arrested and charged with sexual exploitation of a minor. David Royden Drennan, 55, was taken into custody Friday.

Investigators with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office began to investigate a tip that David Royden Drennan was in possession of photographic and video images of children which are sexual in nature. The ICAC unit with the Cookeville Police Department also assisted in the investigation.

As the investigation progressed, evidence was discovered showing that Drennan had in excess of 50 images of child pornography on his mobile telephone.

An arrest warrant was obtained by Detective Stephen Barrett charging Drennan with Sexual Exploitation of a minor. Drennan was arrested Friday, Jan. 15, 2021 and booked into the DeKalb County jail. The magistrate set his bond at $150,000.00.

Drennan was charged with statutory rape in December 2001, along with violation of the sex offender registry law in July 2016 and February 2016.