A federal jury in Charlotte, NC convicted Dr. David Tatum, 41, to several child pornography offenses on May 4, 2023. Dr. Tatum was a child psychiatrist in Charlotte, N.C. at Atrium Health Hospital.
According to filed court documents, trial evidence and witness testimony, between 2016 to 2021, Dr. Tatum possessed images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children.
Trial evidence also established that in or about July 2016, Dr. Tatum secretly recorded a minor while the minor was undressing and showering. A forensic analysis of electronic devices revealed that Dr. Tatum produced the video of the minor and possessed it, along with other images and videos of child pornography.
Dr. Tatum made similar surreptitious recordings of others, including of his patient during an outpatient visit who had just turned 18 years old five days before the recording prosecutors say.
Dr. Tatum was arrested in 2022 on child pornography charges.
At his 2023 trial the jury convicted Dr. Tatum on one count of production of child pornography, one count of transportation of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography.
Dr. Tatum is currently in federal custody. A sentencing date has not been set.
The count of production of child pornography carries a minimum statutory sentence of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The charge of transportation of child pornography carries a minimum statutory sentence of 5 years and a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The charge of possession of child pornography carries a statutory penalty of no more than 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
