Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A decorated officer with the Knoxville Police Department is arrested Monday, November 6 on federal charges involving the production of child pornography.
According to officials with the United States Department of Justice 47-year-old Dan Roark was arrested at the newly-opened Knoxville Public Security Complex around 2:30 p.m.
Roark started at KPD in 2007 and last served on patrol in October 2020. He was awarded Officer of the Month six times during his career.
“The allegations against Dan Roark are deeply disturbing and abhorrent. His alleged actions shock the conscience and, if proven true, demonstrate monstrous behavior against a truly innocent victim. I am sickened by these accusations, which in and of themselves have brought immeasurable discredit on our agency and the entire law enforcement profession. We have and will continue to cooperate fully with federal investigators. We will also act with great urgency to resolve this matter and repair the damage done to public trust in the wake of these disturbing allegations.” – KPD Chief Paul Noel
The arrest sparked from an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Scott County Sheriff, Virginia, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Ninth Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
Roark’s police powers have been suspended, and he will remain in federal custody until a November 9 detention hearing.
KPD’s Office of Professional Standards has opened its own investigation into the incident as well.
This is a developing story.
