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Murphy facing two charges of unlawful photography
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Snapping photos of two underage girls, and posting those images online, landed a 38-year-old local man behind bars Friday night.

Michael Aaron Murphy, who is a Coffee County correctional officer, was booked into the Warren County Jail just before 8 p.m. last Friday, facing two counts of unlawful photography.

According to the arrest warrant filed by McMinnville Police Detective Chris McCormick, Murphy went to the local Planet Fitness gym at 9:19 Friday morning, and while there allegedly took several photos of two juvenile females who were using the facility. Hours later, Murphy allegedly posted the photos of the juvenile girls working out, with six separate captions reading things like: “there’s no excuse to dress like this in public,” “skanky pose,” “a slutty reflection,” “a skanky workout,” “probably smells like fish,” and “a skanky set up just like how Rittenhouse likes it.”

McCormick stated he spoke to both victims, who were embarrassed and offended by the posts, and arrested Murphy that evening. Posting the images makes Murphy’s allegations a Class E Felony.

Coffee County Sheriff’s Office is allegedly awaiting MPD’s investigation to conclude, but has issued a press release in the meantime, which reads, “We were made aware of the arrest of a correctional officer with our department by the McMinnville Police Department late Friday night on charges of invasion of privacy by photography. The department remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of conduct, and appropriate actions will be taken. The public’s safety, privacy and dignity are of the utmost importance.”