Chad V. Hughes v. State of Tennessee

The Petitioner-Appellant, Chad V. Hughes, entered a guilty plea to exploitation of a minor by electronic means, a class C felony, and theft of property less than $1000, a class A misdemeanor.1 Pursuant to the plea agreement, the Petitioner received a suspended sentence of five years’ probation for the conviction of exploitation of a minor by electronic means and time served for the theft conviction. As part of the special conditions of probation, the Petitioner was subject to the requirements of the sex offender registry and required to have no contact with his ex-wife, his step-daughter-victim, or his biological daughter without a juvenile/divorce court order. The Petitioner now appeals the denial of post-conviction relief, alleging ineffective assistance of trial counsel in failing to pursue a bond reduction, in failing to conduct a pre-trial investigation, in failing to retain a digital forensic examiner, and in failing to advise the Petitioner of the legal implications that pleading guilty to exploitation of a minor by electronic means would have on his dependency and neglect case. Based on trial counsel’s alleged deficiencies, the Petitioner argues that his guilty plea was not knowingly and voluntarily entered. Upon our review, we affirm.