Release:

New Jersey Man Charged with Sexual Exploitation of Children in Georgia

JANUARY 25, 2021

Decatur, GA (January 25, 2021) – On Tuesday, January 5, 2021, Eric E. Talley, age 34, was arrested in Union County, New Jersey, on arrest warrants taken in Georgia for the sexual exploitation of children. Talley was located in New Jersey while he was exploiting a child from Georgia online. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation and Computer (CEACC) Unit began an investigation into Talley’s online activity after a report was made to the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation pertaining to an online user who was paying the juvenile for nude images. During a collaborative investigation by GBI, FBI, and Oconee County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect was identified as Eric E. Talley of New Jersey. Talley had a previous criminal history for possessing and viewing child pornography in New Jersey (2016) and minor/criminal solicitation of a minor in South Carolina (2012). Talley was a registered sex offender in New Jersey at the time of the investigation.

On January 5, 2020, a search of Talley’s home was conducted by the GBI, FBI, Oconee County Sheriff’s Office. and members of New Jersey’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, the Union County (NJ) Prosecutor’s Office’s Cyber Crime Task Force, and the Roselle (NJ) Police Department. Talley was placed under arrest pursuant to arrest warrants from Georgia and evidence was seized from Talley’s home. In addition, Talley is facing multiple criminal charges in New Jersey for violating the terms of his obligations as a registered sex offender in that state. Talley remains in custody in New Jersey awaiting extradition to Georgia.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Unit at 404-270-8870. Tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS(8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

Release:

Spalding County Registered Sex Offender Arrested for the Sexual Exploitation of Children

JANUARY 19, 2021

Decatur, GA (January 19, 2021) – On Tuesday, January 19, 2021, Spalding County resident, Timothy Woodard, age 44, was charged with the Sexual Exploitation of Children (Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material) in violation of O.C.G.A 16-12-100(b)(8) by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes (CEACC) Unit.

The GBI CEACC Unit began an investigation into Woodard’s online activity after receiving multiple cybertips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) indicating Woodard was uploading child sexual abuse material to a popular online platform. On Friday, January 19, 2021, agents from the GBI’s CEACC Unit, with assistance from the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Community Supervision, executed a search warrant at the residence of Timothy Woodard. A search of Woodard’s residence by GBI Special Agents and electronic devices by GBI Digital Forensic Investigators produced evidence which led to the arrest of Woodard on the same date. Woodard was taken into custody and booked into the Spalding County Jail.

Timothy Woodard was previously arrested in 2016 and indicted in Henry County Superior Court on 23 counts of Sexual Exploitation of Children for being in possession of child pornography material. In that case, Woodard pled guilty to a negotiated plea to two counts of Sexual Exploitation of Children and was sentenced to a total of 30 years with the first eight years to be served in confinement and the remainder to be served on probation. Woodard was released from prison on June 22, 2020 and placed on parole.

This investigation is part of the ongoing effort by the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, housed within the GBI’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit, to identify those involved in the child pornography trade. The ICAC Program, created by the U.S. Department of Justice, was developed in response to the increasing number of children and teenagers using the Internet, the proliferation of child pornography, and the heightened online activity by predators searching for unsupervised contact with underage victims.

Anyone with information about other cases of child exploitation is asked to contact the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Unit at 404-270-8870. Tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS(8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

Release:

Former deputy sentenced to federal prison for possessing child pornography

Statesboro man admitted having illegal images on cell phone

STATESBORO, GA:  A former Bulloch County sheriff’s deputy has been sentenced to prison for possession of child pornography.

Travis Tuenge, 44, of Statesboro, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison and fined $1,500 by U.S. District Court Chief Judge J. Randal Hall after pleading guilty to one count of Possession of Child Pornography, said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. After completion of his prison sentence, Tuenge must serve five years of supervised release and register as a sex offender.

There is no parole in the federal system.

“Travis Tuenge’s deviant behavior victimized innocent children, even as he violated the public trust as a law enforcement officer,” said U.S. Attorney Christine. “We applaud the citizen who reported Tuenge’s crime, and the law enforcement agencies for their quick action in bringing him to justice.”

According to court documents and testimony, Tuenge – who served as a Bulloch County Superior Court security officer – came under investigation after the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office received a report of Tuenge sending text messages in which he discussed victimization of children. With assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, investigators discovered images of child pornography on Tuenge’s cell phone.

“It is of utmost importance that public officials, especially sworn law enforcement officers, committing crimes be held accountable for their actions,” said Vic Reynolds, Director of the GBI. “The GBI remains committed to working with our local and federal partners to ensure that these type cases are aggressively investigated and prosecuted in order to maintain the faith and trust of the public.”  

The case was investigated by the GBI and the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force, and was prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua S. Bearden and Marcela C. Mateo.

Release:

Bryan County man sentenced to federal prison for attempted coercion of a child for sexual activity

Wife previously sentenced for tampering with witness

SAVANNAH, GA:  A Bryan County man who admitted attempting to coerce a child into sexual activity has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison.

Michael Wilson, 38, of Richmond Hill, Ga., was sentenced to 180 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge William T. Moore Jr. after pleading guilty to Attempted Coercion of a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity, said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Wilson also is required to pay $100,000 each to two minor victims in restitution, and after completion of his prison term will be required to serve 15 years of supervised release and to register as a sex offender.

There is no parole in the federal system.

Wilson’s wife, Lori Wilson, a/k/a “Loretta Lightningbolt,” 35, of Richmond Hill, Ga., previously was sentenced to 70 months in prison after pleading guilty to Tampering with a Victim or Witness. While Michael Wilson was under investigation, Lori Wilson tried to persuade a victim to recant accusations that he attempted to coerce the minor to engage in illegal sexual activity from 2017 through early 2019.

“Victimization of vulnerable children rightly deserves harsh penalties, and we applaud our law enforcement partners for their difficult work in bringing this despicable pair to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Christine. “These horrific crimes have earned a significant sentence.”

Michael Wilson, an active duty member of the military, also is charged with seven violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Article 120(b), Rape and Sexual Assault of a Child. These charges are pending and relate to multiple minor victims.

“This sentence wraps up a traumatic chapter in a young child’s life after being taken advantage of by an adult,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “No matter how severe the sentence it will never wipe away the scars left on this innocent child, but it will hopefully send a deterrent message to anyone contemplating similar predatory activity.”

“This prison sentence punishes Wilson for his conduct and serves as a clear warning to those considering similar abhorrent conduct that Army CID, and our federal law enforcement partners will fully investigate such allegations and seek incarceration and restitution,” said Chris Grey, spokesman for Army Criminal Investigation Command.

The cases are being investigated by the FBI and by the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katelyn Semales and Jennifer G. Solari.

VALDOSTA, Ga. — The Valdosta Plan Commission is set to hold a public hearing for a home on Forrest Run Circle that the owners plan to turn into a temporary home for ex-offenders.

WCTV reports that the many residents of the community are opposed to the idea and are concerned about the safety of the children in the neighborhood. The property owners understand the concerns of the community but believe that everyone deserves a second chance.

The owners reassure the community that the halfway home will only be open to low-level first time offenders; sex offenders or those with violent history will not be allowed in the program.

A question and answer session will be held on Saturday at 3 p.m. at the property on Forest Run Circle.

A public hearing will be held on January 27 by the City Plan Commission.

THOMASVILLE, Ga. – Thomas County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man on multiple drug charges after it was discovered that he was using a pill press to make fake Xanax, according to WALB.

According to the sheriff’s office, the narcotics agents first saw the pill-making machine when they were looking for sex offenders in the area. After researching to confirm that the device was a pill press, the agents returned to the residence only to find out that the device had been moved to another location.

Twenty-three-year-old Jarshawn Demetrius Holland’s fingerprints were found on the pill press and was identified as the prime suspect.

Agents estimated that the hand-cranked device could easily make at least 200 pills per hour.

Holland faces multiple charges:

• one controlled substance with intent to distribute criminal attempt to manufacture a schedule
• one controlled substance, possession of tools for the commission of a crime and possession of a schedule
• two controlled substance with intent to distribute.

WALTON CO., Ga. – George Randolph “Randy” Jeffery, 59, an associate probate judge, family law attorney, and recently appointed Special Assistant Attorney General (SAAG) in Walton County was sentenced to prison for attempted online enticement of a minor on Wed. Dec. 11. 2019.

Jeffery was communicating online with what he thought was a juvenile female, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Georgia.

In October 2019 the FBI received a cyber-tip from the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation (LBI) about the possible online sexual relationship between the juvenile and an adult man based in Monroe, Georgia.

Investigators discovered Jeffery was exchanging messages from February 2019 to August 2018, thinking it was a 14-year-old girl, discussing various sexual acts in detail, including molestation by her father, and exchanging nude photos of the minor and seven other photos of what appeared to be minors.

Jeffery, who worked as an attorney practicing in the areas of child support, adoption and family law, sometimes communicated with the victim from the child support office located behind DFACS in Covington, Georgia and while he was at church.

U.S. Middle District of Georgia statement

In actuality, Jeffery was unknowingly communicating with the girl’s father, who was molesting his daughter and posing as her online, sending pornographic images of her to Jeffery. A search warrant executed at Jeffery’s home recovered multiple electronic devices with numerous images and videos of child pornography, including prepubescent minors and items portraying the sexual abuse of an infant or toddler.

Walton County Probate Judge Bruce Wright told Channel 2 News that he inherited Jeffery as an associate probate judge from the previous administration and that he had handled about one estate case for him a year for the past six years.

“A GBI agent and an FBI agent made me aware of (Jeffery’s charges) prior to the morning of his arrest,” Wright told Channel 2. “I was sad, I was hurt and I was mad all at once.”

Jeffery’s appointment as Special Assistant Attorney General (SAAG) was immediately after hearing of the arrest, according to AJC.

“I believe this multi-agency investigation ultimately stopped a deviant criminal, posing as a law-abiding judge, from doing additional irreparable damage to innocent children,” said U.S. Attorney Charlie Peeler. “Defendant Jeffery, who once swore to uphold the law, will experience the full weight of justice for his unconscionable crimes. I want to thank the GBI, LBI and the FBI for their excellent investigative work and partnership.”

Jeffery, 59, of Monroe was sentenced to 180 months in prison and ten years supervised release on Wednesday by U.S. District Judge C. Ashley Royal after pleading guilty on September 10 to one count of attempted online enticement of a minor.

“This case is particularly disturbing because it is an example that child predators come from all walks of life, even from a position in our justice system,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Now, instead of sitting behind a bench judging right from wrong, Jeffery will be sitting on the other side of the bench in a prison cell paying for what he did wrong.”

Jeffery will have to register as a sex offender and comply with all sex offender requirements when he is released from prison. There is no parole in the federal system. 

“One of the worst types of offenders we come in contact with are those that hold a position of trust in our community. This case proves once again there is no demographic for people who hurt children. When someone with whom we have placed our trust violates that trust in this manner, a child and a community are damaged,” said Vic Reynolds, Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI). “The GBI and the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force will continue to work diligently to ensure all people who seek to harm our children and our communities are found and stopped.”

The case was investigated by the GBI, LBI and FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lyndie Freeman prosecuted the case for the Government.

BERRIEN CO., Ga. – Antonio Jemal Owens, age 34, pleaded guilty to Child Molestation and Enticing a Child for Indecent Purposes in the Berrien County Courthouse.

Superior Court Judge Clayton Tomlinson sentenced Owens to 12 years in prison for his crimes against a 14-year-old girl. During the sentencing hearing, District Attorney Dick Perryman’s staff had originally asked for 15 years in prison followed by 25 years on probation. In addition to the 12 years in prison, Owens was sentenced to 18 years additional probation following his release. When Owens is released from prison, he will be required to follow sex offender probation requirements and will be banished from the counties of Atkinson, Berrien, Clinch, Cook and Lanier.

“Protecting the children of this circuit is one of the top priorities of my office and I am proud we were able to send this predator off,” commented Alapaha Judicial Circuit D.A. Dick Perryman. “I am grateful for the hard work and effort from my staff including Assistant District Attorney Allen Lawson. I must also commend the work of the Ray City Police Department and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office. While the innocence lost at the hands of this man can never be recovered, I am pleased with the outcome of this case.”

COOK COUNTY, Ga – Cook County’s Devant Lamont Miller, age 21, has pleaded guilty to child molestation and statutory rape of a 12-year-old female during his sentencing last week. 

Miller was sentenced to 30 years, with 15 years to be served in a Georgia prison. His sentence will also include banishment from the Alapaha Judicial Circuit, and registration as a sex offender.  

Chief Superior Court Judge Howard McClain took Miller’s guilty plea and entered the sentence against him 

 “It is a great relief to have a predator like Devante Miller off the street and to know that our children are safer today with Miller in prison. Individuals that harm children shall be punished to the full extent of the law. I am proud that my office continues to prosecute and imprison people who harm children in this judicial circuit,” District Attorney Dick Perryman stated. “I must thank the Sparks Police Department and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office for their hard work on this case. I must also thank ADA Jennifer Rue Smith for her dedication in seeing this case to its conclusion.”