Pickens County Man Arrested for the Sexual Exploitation of Children
Community, Featured News, Police & Government, Press Release December 16, 2022
Jasper, GA (December 16, 2022) – On Wednesday, December 14, 2022, Kelly Eugene Howard, age 49, of Pickens County, Georgia, was arrested and charged with one count of Sexual Exploitation of Children by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes (CEACC) Unit. The GBI CEACC Unit began an investigation into Howard’s online activity after receiving Cybertip Reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding the possible online possession of child sexual abuse material. This investigation led to a search warrant at Howard’s residence and his subsequent arrest. The GBI CEACC unit was assisted in the execution of their search warrant by the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office.
Howard was transported to the Pickens County Jail upon his arrest.
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 trade of child sexual abuse material. 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 sexual abuse material, 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 or report via the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children CyberTipline at CyberTipline.org.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/
Ralston calls for GBI investigation into Fulton County elections
News July 16, 2021
ATLANTA, Ga – Elected officials are taking aim and Fulton County and its elections director Richard Barron, following new details regarding the 2020 election.
Today, Speaker of the House David Ralston (R – Blue Ridge) released the letter he sent to Fulton Elections Director Richard Barron. In the letter, Ralston requests Barron ask the GBI to investigate November 2020 election. He cited the mounting allegations against Fulton County as his reasoning behind the need for an investigation.
Georgia Speaker of the House of Representatives David Ralston
“Recently, media reports have surfaced which call into question the way in which Fulton County conducted, counted and audited the November 2020 Presidential Election. These reports have been accompanied by video and other evidence which is part of on-going litigation and requires thorough examination and explanation. Given the seriousness of this situation and the possible repercussions for our state and nation, it is time we have an independent investigation – once and for all – of the way in which Fulton County conducted, counted and audited the November 2020 Presidential Election,” Ralston wrote.
Raffensperger calls for Barron’s firing
Throughout the week, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R-Ga) has issued several tweets, and last month, he held a press conference in front of headlines concerning Fulton’s lengthy history of election problems.
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger
Most recently, a report of the double-counting of 200 absentee ballots came to light after the new voting law made it public.
“Fulton County’s continued failures have gone on long enough with no accountability. Rick Barron and Ralph Jones, Fulton’s registration chief, must be fired and removed from Fulton’s elections leadership immediately. Fulton’s voters and the people of Georgia deserve better,” one of Raffensperger’s tweets read.
Earlier this year, the Fulton County Elections Board voted to fire Barron, but the commissioners rejected the termination.
Another tweet stated, “Long before November, I had been working to get Fulton to clean up their decades of election mismanagement. Restoring confidence in our elections should be a bipartisan concern. Fulton County’s poor elections management is making that impossible.”
Raffensperger’s also gone on record urging Republicans to take “the lead on election regulation reform” and that the SOS assigned monitor found “significant management issues.”
Fulton County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts (D – Fulton) described Raffensperger’s call to fire Barron and Jones as a “sell out to conspiracy theorists.”
“His ultimate goal is based on the provisions of Senate Bill 202, he would like to take over the elections in Fulton County, that is not going to happen, period,” Pitts told Fox 5 Atlanta.
Under the Election Integrity Act (SB 202), the Secretary of State’s Office does have the authority to take over a county’s elections process if numerous instances of problems are documented. The Department of Justice is currently suing Georgia over the bill on the grounds that it violates voter’s civil rights.
Read the entirety of Ralston’s call for an election investigation below:
Pickens County Man Arrested for the Sexual Exploitation of Children
News June 2, 2021
Ball Ground, GA (June 2, 2021) – On Tuesday, June 1, 2021, Frederick Austin Homonek, age 33, was arrested and charged with four counts of Sexual Exploitation of Children (Possession of Child Pornography) by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes (CEACC) Unit. The GBI CEACC Unit began an investigation into Homonek’s online activity after receiving a Cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding the online possession and distribution of images depicting child pornography. This investigation led to a search warrant at Homonek’s home and to the subsequent arrest of Homonek.
Homonek was booked into the Pickens County Jail upon his arrest.
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 and Computer Crimes 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.
GBI Investigates Officer Involved Shooting in Pickens County
News, Press Release February 9, 2021
Jasper, Georgia (February 9, 2021) – On Monday, February 8, 2021, at approximately 2:45 p.m., the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was requested by the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office to conduct an officer involved shooting investigation.
The investigation indicates that at approximately 2:30 p.m., the Pickens County 911 Center received a request for a welfare check on a man that was expressing suicidal thoughts at a residence on Dianne Street. The man was reportedly armed with a replica gun and expressed a desire to die at the hands of law enforcement. The man was identified as Chris Childers, 46, of Jasper, Georgia.
The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office responded to the residence to check on Childers, when they encountered Childers armed with a gun. Repeated verbal commands were given to Childers to drop the weapon. Childers put the gun down and then picked the gun up again, at which time he was shot by the responding deputy. The deputy and an additional responding deputy rendered aid until EMS could arrive. Childers was ultimately transported to an area hospital for treatment. The GBI determined that the weapon Childers was armed with was a PFM16 CO2 powered BB pistol, which has the appearance of a standard firearm.
Once the GBI investigation is complete, the case will be provided to the Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney for review.
This is the 7th officer involved shooting that the GBI has been requested to investigate in 2021.
Pickens County Man Arrested for the Sexual Exploitation of Children
News, Press Release February 8, 2021
Jasper, GA (February 8, 2021) – On Thursday, February 4, 2021, Pickens County resident, Danny Wright, age 57, was charged with one count of Sexual Exploitation of Children (Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material) and three counts of Sexual Exploitation of Children (Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material) by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes (CEACC) Unit. The GBI CEACC Unit began an investigation into Wright’s online activity after receiving a Cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding the possession and distribution of suspected child pornography by Wright via the internet. This investigation led to a search warrant at Wright’s home in Jasper, Georgia, and the arrest of Wright on February 4, 2021. The GBI was assisted in the execution of the search warrant by the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office. Evidence from the search warrant conducted on February 4, 2021, led to additional criminal charges against Wright on February 5, 2021. On February 5, 2021, Wright was charged with Child Molestation and Invasion of Privacy.
Wright is currently in custody at the Pickens County Jail.
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 and Computer Crimes 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.
Pickens County Man Arrested for the Sexual Exploitation of Children
News, Press Release December 4, 2020
Jasper, GA (December 3, 2020) – On Wednesday, December 2, 2020, Pickens County resident, Christopher Blackstone, age 41, was charged with (3) counts of 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 Blackstone’s online activity after receiving a Cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding the upload of suspected child pornography by Blackstone via the internet. A search of Blackstone’s home and electronic devices produced evidence that led to the arrest of Blackstone on December 2, 2020.
Blackstone is currently in custody at the Pickens County Jail.
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.
Infant life-flighted, father faces multiple charges
News, Police & Government October 9, 2020
Contributed photo
Scott waters faces multiple charges of child abuse after his eight-week-old infant was life-flighted to Scottish Rites in Atlanta.
An infant was life-flighted to the Children’s Hospital of Atlanta at Scottish Rite with critical injuries and the father arrested for those injuries.
According to a press release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigations:
Scott W. Waters, 20, of Jasper, was arrested on Thursday and booked into the Pickens County Detention Center on multiple charges for injuring his 8-week-old infant. Waters was charged with two counts of cruelty to children, four counts of aggravated battery and one count of aggravated assault.
A week earlier on Thursday, October 1, the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office was alerted to an infant who was life-flighted to The PCSO requested the assistance of the GBI to investigate the case. As a result of the investigation, warrants were issued on October 8, 2020 for Waters, the infant’s father. The investigation is ongoing and will be provided to the Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney for prosecution upon completion.
READ OTHER ARRESTS IN PICKENS COUNTY
Arrests made in drug busts with international ties in Pickens
News, Police & Government June 24, 2020
A single, anonymous tip led to local, state, and federal authorities to confiscating 137 kilograms of methamphetamine valued at more than $1-million, and charges brought against 47 people, several from Pickens County, including the drug broker in the middle of it.
As a result of a 9-month investigation known as “Operation The Real McCoy,” the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad (CMANS), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) served 47 arrest warrants for multiple charges including gang and drug related offenses.
“This is the largest bust I can recall,” said Pickens County Sheriff, Donny Craig.
More than $1-million in meth were confiscated during the multi-agency “The Real McCoy” operation. A Pickens County man is charged with brokering the drugs between Mexican gangs and street level dealers.
In September 2019, Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad (CMANS) agents began an investigation into a supply chain of methamphetamine into Cherokee County. The initial investigations led CMANS agents to DeKalb and Gwinnett counties and members of the Ghostface Gangsters.
Phil Price of CMANS, which serves Pickens and Cherokee counties, said they discovered the trafficking was originating in Dekalb and Gwinnett counties and upon learning many of those involved were gang members, they partnered with the state agency’s Gang Task Force.
John Melvin, Assistant Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigations, named 20 agencies involved in the investigation, which is still on-going.
It’s critical that the agencies work together, said Robert Hammer, Deputy Special Agent in Charge at Homeland Security Investigations Atlanta office.
“The investigation originally started into Ghost Face Killers and Gangster Disciples and as the investigation progressed, we were able to expand the network and see the Mexican affiliated gangs such as Sureños 13,” said Hammer.
With American-based gangs working cooperatively with Mexican gangs to bring drugs in and sell them, law enforcement has to pool their resources in order to combat them, he said.
“As gangs merge, we need to merge our gangs as well,” said Hammer.
Craig said his office has only been involved with CMANS for a year, but this investigation alone has proven it’s a good partnership.
“I feel like we’ve made a big dent, not just in Pickens County, but all of North Georgia,” said Craig.
Based on the initial investigation, CMANS, the GBI Gang Task Force, and HSI conducted an intensive investigation into the drug trafficking and distribution organization involving Brannon McCoy, age 26, Michael Hazelwood, age 45, and Tricia Setser, age 38, who are traffickers of methamphetamine operating within numerous counties in Georgia including Sumter, Effingham, Fulton, Clayton, DeKalb, Cobb, Cherokee, Gilmer, and Pickens. The investigation revealed a network involving members of the Ghostface Gangsters, the Gangster Disciples, and the Sureños.
McCoy acted as a broker from inside the State Prison Camp in Sumter County between drug traffickers in Mexico and the street level dealers in Georgia, Tennessee, and West Virginia. The name of the operation became known as “The Real McCoy.” Investigators were able to monitor McCoy and from there, identify sources of supply, leading to some of the day’s arrests.
Price said McCoy was one of the main players and is from Pickens County. “His family is here. We followed the trail of money through here and also several people involved are also from Pickens County.”
The case will be tried in Pickens County and is a case District Attorney B. Alison Sosebee is looking forward to trying.
The Pickens County Sheriff’s Department, working with CMANS, GBI, and Homeland Security charged 47 people, several from Pickens County, with trafficking meth.
“(It will require) a lot work to get the case prepared and ready for trial,” said Sosebee. “(The agencies) have worked very well together with our office, so we are looking forward to proceeding with the case from a prosecution standpoint.”
Craig said that while the bust is monumental, it is still on-going.
Agencies involved in the investigation were the CMANS, the GBI Gang Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, the Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, Pickens Sheriff’s Office, Cherokee Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Department of Corrections, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Barrow Sheriff’s Office, the Gordon County Drug Task Force, Gwinnett Gang Task Force and Special Investigation Section, DeKalb District Attorney’s Office, the Cobb PD and District Attorney’s Office, the Clayton SO and District Attorney’s Office, the Apex Unit from Atlanta PD, the West Metro Regional Drug Enforcement Office, the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, and the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office.
The GBI Gang Task Force is made up of GBI Agents, task force agents from the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office, the Atlanta Police Department, the Georgia Department of Community Supervision, the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force and the United States Department of Homeland Security/Homeland Security Investigations.
The Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad is a joint task force working in Cherokee County and Pickens County to investigate drug related violations. Participating agencies include the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office, the Pickens Sheriff’s Office, the Canton Police Department, the Woodstock Police Department, the Holly Springs Police Department, the Ball Ground Police Department, the Cherokee County Marshal’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office for the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit, the District Attorney’s Office for the Appalachian Judicial Circuit and the Georgia State Patrol. Citizens may call in tips anonymously to (770) 345-7920 or may speak to an agent by calling (678) 493-7625.
Arrests
The following individuals were arrested on June 24, 2020:
- Erik Noe Fuentes Escobar, 26, charged in Barrow County, GA with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
- Kevin Vega-Santana, 18, charged with trafficking methamphetamine in Fulton County, GA.
- Artemio Maldonado Santana, 28, charged with trafficking methamphetamine in Fulton County, GA.
- Elvis Maldonado-Santana, 21, charged with trafficking methamphetamine in Fulton County, GA.
- Buford Smith, 68, charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute in Pickens County, GA.
- Leah Thompson, 31, charged with possession of methamphetamine in Pickens County, GA.
- Joseph Arp, 50, charged with possession of methamphetamine in Pickens County, GA.
- Wendy Kirby, 44, charged with obstruction in Pickens County, GA.
- Tracy Kirby, 42, charged with obstruction in Pickens County, GA.
- William Ryder, 45 charged with obstruction in Pickens County, GA.
- Ashley Foster, 31, charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of a Schedule IV substance in Pickens County, GA.
- Christopher Mountain 47, charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of a Schedule IV substance in Pickens County, GA.
- Marjorie Brown, 61, charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute in Pickens County, GA.
The following were charged with Violation of the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act in Pickens County as part of “Operation The Real McCoy” and were already in custody or a fugitive:
- Tanner Burnell, 31, currently in custody at the Pickens County Jail
- Donnie Chastain, 47, currently in custody at the Pickens County Jail
- Cindy McCoy-Wilson, 49, currently in custody at the Pickens County Jail
- Christopher Morris, 34, currently in custody at the Pickens County Jail
- Allyson Moyer, 41, currently in custody at the Pickens County Jail
- Jesse Rodriguez, 22, currently in custody at the Pickens County Jail
- David Skinner, 46, currently in custody at the Pickens County Jail
- Amanda Vliek, 37, currently in custody at the Pickens County Jail
- Brandon Sanchez Laney, 32, also charged with Violation of Georgia Street Gang and Terrorism Act, currently in custody at the Cherokee County Jail
- Tyler Morris, 28, currently in custody at the Cherokee County Jail
- Carl Welchel, 49, currently in custody at the Cherokee County Jail
- Tricia Setser, 38, currently in custody at the Cherokee County Jail
- Casey Plumb, 31, currently in custody at the Cherokee County Jail
- Michael Hazelwood, 45, currently in custody at Cherokee County Jail
- Josh Phillips, 23, currently in custody at the Gwinnett County Jail
- Josh David Collins, 37, currently in custody of GDC
- William Jamie Fields, 27, currently in custody of GDC
- Brannon Chase McCoy, 26, currently in custody of GDC
- Terrell Jamar Owens, 38, currently in custody of GDC
- Bryan Thomas Pitt, 36, currently in custody of GDC
- Kevin Rodriguez, 24, currently in custody of GDC
- Joseph Seaborn III, 47, currently in custody of GDC
- Dewane Cook, 46, currently in custody in Monroe County, TN
- Orvelin Garcia Penaloza, 25, currently a fugitive from justice
- Evan Dannny Taylor Yancey, currently a fugitive from justice
- Dillon Thompson, 40, currently a fugitive from justice
- Savannah Newton, 22, currently a fugitive from justice
- Tracey Shirley, 47, currently a fugitive from justice
- Brittany Owen, 41, also charged with Violation of Georgia Street Gang and Terrorism Act, currently a fugitive from justice
- Dennis Debord, 39, currently a fugitive from justice
- Jessica Darby, 33, currently a fugitive from justice
- Derick Barker, 35, currently a fugitive from justice
- Justin Barker, 31, currently a fugitive from justice
- Mindy Skelton, 38, currently a fugitive from justice
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Read the Pickens County Jail bookings here.
Transcript of Press Conference
Phil Price of the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad, serving Cherokee and Pickens County. In September 2019, we got information that led us into an investigation into methamphetamine trafficking that was taking place in Cherokee and Pickens County. It was originating in Dekalb and Gwinnett counties. As we began to conduct the investigation, we determined that a majority of the people involved were members of gangs here in Georgia. So we partnered with the the GBI’s task force to further this investigation and I’ll turn this over to the GBI.
John Melvin, Assistant Director of the GBI, I’d like to thank you for being here for this wonderful, memorial event.With over 70,000 gang members state-wide, it is essential that in order to fight this occupation of gang members that we have cooperation between the many agencies. In that regard I need to take time to thank the many agencies that have brought us here today for this drug and gang bust. The following agencies assisted us: the CMANS unit, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations Gang Task Force, Homeland Security investigations, the Applachian Judicial Circuit whose district attorneys will take this case to trial. Thank you. the Pickens County Sheriff’s Department, the Department of Corrections, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations, Bartow County Sheriff’s office, Gordon County Task Force, Gwinnett County Task Force, the Special Investigations Section of the Gwinnett County Gang Task Force, the Dekalb County District Attorney’s office, the Cobb County Police Department, the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office, Clayton County Sheriff’s Office, Clayton County District Attorney’s office, the APEX Unit of hte Atlanta Police Department, the West Metro Drug Enforcement Office, the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, the Georgia National Guard, as well as the Drug Task Force of the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Department. All of these agencies in their way, helped us with this investigation and today, we’re happy to announce 137 kilos of methamphetamine are off the streets, taken us part of the multi-jurisdiction cooperative effort to take down members of our Ghost Face Gang that is in this state, as well Gangster Disciples. The gangs are cooperating but so are the agencies that stand against this evil. Those agencies that have helped us out and hte agents that are on the street, from the bottom of my heart, thank you and God bless you.
Robert Hammer, special agent with HSI investigations in Atlanta: I just want to commend the Sheriff of Pickens County and all the agencies that John mentioned on GBI’s behalf. When I committed to the director a year ago that we wanted to partner with GBI on the governor’s gang task force, this was exactly the type of partnership I envisioned and this is a great result for this task force. It’s one of the largest for the task force and there are certainly more to come. From our aspect on the federal side of these investigations, our focus is on the transnational side. We look to add value to and support these local partners in being successful. We’re looking at multiple gangs collaborating to import these narcotics into the region. specifically Surenos working with Ghost Face and Gangster Disciples. Mexico continues to be a major source of supply of methamphetamine in the Metro Atlanta area and certainly here in Pickens Counthy. The scourge that drugs and the gang cause this community is no more prevalent today than over 130 kilos of meth off the streets as well as multiple firearms. We’re proud to work with GBI and the governor’s gang task force and to more contributions.
Phil Price: the initial investigation was just a tip that we got and as we investigated, we saw so many people who were interacting with the suspects that we had. We also developed information about the gang aspect and at that time it was on Ghost Face gangsters. We got the GBI gang task force involved, started doing very intensive surveillance, watching these people for long periods of time and learned in fact there were three different gangs. Thanks to the GBI gang task force, we were able to further this investigation into areas we were not well versed in. This investigation was initiated just before COVID became a problem and we had to deal with all those secondary issues, how we interacted with other people. A very complex investigation, a very intense investigation. I think everyone here tonight can go home and rest better.
Christopher Scott Morris, 34, Jasper, Georgia
Cindy Marie McCoy, 49,
Jasper, Georgia
David Robert Skinner, 46,
Canton, Georgia
Tanner Evin Burnell, 35,
Ellijay, Georgia
Donnie Lee Chastain, 47,
Talking Rock, Georgia
Amanda Vliek, 37,
Kennesaw, Georgia
Marjorie Sue Brown, 62,
Talking Rock, Georgia
Ashley Elizabeth Foster, 31,
Talking Rock, Georgia
Tracey Rena Kirby, 46,
Jasper, Georgia
Wendy Elisha Kirby, 44,
Jasper, Georgia
Jesse Rodriguez, 22,
Austell, Georgia
Tate man arrested for creating child pornography after search
Arrest Reports, Press Release March 23, 2020
A Tate man arrested for child pornography remains in jail without bond. According to a press release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigations, Jeremey Errol Mansion, 30 of Tate was arrested at 12:50 a.m. on Sunday.
Jeremey Errol Mansion, 30, of Tate was arrested early Sunday morning on multiple charges.
He has been charged with possession of child pornography, creating/distributing child pornography, child molestation, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and two counts of possession of a controlled substance.
According to Kris Stancil of the Pickens County Sheriff’s Department, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations’s Child Exploitations and Computer Crimes Unit, CEACC, and Homeland Security contacted them for assistance in obtaining a warrant on Friday. The search warrant was related to a join investigation into the online sexual exploitation of children.
The warrant was served on Saturday and Mansion was arrested and charged.
According to the GBI website, the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force is housed within the Child Exploitation And Computer Crimes Unit (CEACCU). The mission of the ICAC Task Force program is to assist state and local law enforcement agencies in developing an effective response to cyber enticement, child pornography and the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC).
The investigation continues.
To read how jails are handling COVID-19, read here.
GBI Seeks Public’s Assistance in 2011 Toccoa Murder Investigation
Featured Stories March 9, 2020
Toccoa, GA (March 5, 2020) – This month marks the nine year anniversary of the murder of
Robert Lee Simmons, Jr. The GBI is seeking the public’s assistance with any information about
Simmons’ last days and his murder. Simmons, 46, was found dead at his home at the Glendale
Apartments on Norman Drive on March 1, 2011 by a family member. The Toccoa Police
Department responded to the scene after receiving a 911 call. Simmons’ death was determined to
be a homicide.
This case has remained active for the past nine years and both the GBI and Toccoa Police
Department continue to work to solve this case. Recently, investigators have received new
promising leads in this investigation and are asking for help from those who knew Simmons.
Even the smallest detail may help police with this investigation.
Both law enforcement and Robert Simmons’ family and friends implore anyone with information
to contact the GBI or Toccoa Police Department. GBI Special Agent Shilo Crane is the case
agent and may be reached at 706-348-4866. Tips can also be made on the GBI Tipline at 800-
597-8477 or online submissions may be made on the GBI website: www.gbi.georgia.gov. The
Toccoa Police Department may be contacted at 706-282-3244.
Peace officer arrested on alleged child molestation charges
News, Police & Government February 5, 2020
PICKENS COUNTY, Ga – Pickens County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) charged Gaylon Earl Mathews,57, with three counts of aggravated child molestation(2) and child molestation (1) on Feb. 4, 2020.
Mathews was a certified peace officer who reportedly worked at a school in Cherokee County, but he lived in Jasper. He was not employed in a law enforcement capacity in Pickens County.
After the initial arrest, PCSO asked GBI (Georgia Bureau of Investigation) to take over due to the suspects history in law enforcement.
GBI Special Agent Dustin Hamby attested in three separate warrants that Mathews knowingly committed aggravated child molestation from Nov. 1 to Dec. 21, 2014 and March 14 to April 15, 2015, with a child under the age of 16. Mathews also allegedly committed child molestation from Nov. 1 to Nov. 31, 2014 with a child under the age of 16.
O.C.G.A. separates the charges by establishing that aggravated child molestation leaves a physical injury on the child or involves the act of sodomy. Child molestation is any immoral or indecent act performed in the presence of a child under 16. It also includes the use of electronic devices to transmit immoral images to a child.
Please remember everyone is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Fetch Your News will update this story as more information becomes available.
Pickens Teacher in custody for enticing children
News January 31, 2020
(Photo provided by Pickens County Sheriff’s Office)
JASPER, Ga. – According to the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, a Pickens County teacher is in custody today, January 31, 2020, for crimes relating to enticing children for indecent purposes.
At this time, the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office has passed along a Release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation as it relates to the arrest of a Pickens County Junior High School teacher:
A Pickens County Junior High school teacher has been arrested on four counts of enticing a child for indecent purposes. The teacher is Gilbert Suarez IV, 38 of Cartersville, Georgia. Suarez surrendered himself to the Pickens County Detention Center on Friday, January 31, 2020. The Pickens County School Board placed Suarez on administrative leave at the beginning of the investigation.
On Saturday, January 25, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Cleveland Office was requested by the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office to assist with an investigation into a Pickens County Junior High schoolteacher soliciting inappropriate photographs from female students. During the investigation, three different females were identified as being approached by the teacher, all were under the age of 15. Fortunately, the incident was reported before any photographs were provided.
Upon completion of this investigation, the case will be provided to the Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
Judge released on bond following arrest for theft
Community, News January 30, 2020
A local judge is out on a $50,000 bond after finding himself on the other side of the law Wednesday evening.
Allen Wigington, Chief Magistrate and former law enforcement officer, was booked Wednesday on theft and violation of oath of office charges after an investigation.
According to jail records, Chief Magistrate Judge Allen Wigington was arrested for multiple counts theft and violation of oath of office. He has served in the magistrate court since his appointment in 2008. Prior to becoming a judge, Wigington retired as a Chief Deputy Sheriff from Pickens County and served five years as the Chief of Police in Nelson.
The Pickens County Sheriff’s Department released a statement saying they began investigating allegations in mid-December 2019, where they found “questionable spending activity” on a credit card issued to Wigington by the county.
Sheriff Donald Craig discussed the finding with the Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigations. Questions were referred to the GBI, however, they have yet to respond.
Charges to hotels and nonprofit
According to the report, Wigington is accused of taking money from a local unnamed nonprofit organization where he served as treasurer, allegedly to pay personal debts. He then allegedly then used funds from the Magistrate Office to reimburse the nonprofit.
Wigington allegedly made three separate transactions in the amounts of $923, $848.31 and $317 from Pickens County Magistrate Court to the nonprofit organization. In addition, he allegedly charged $96.27, $137.82, and $343.84 on a Pickens County government card for personal expenses at Hampton Inn in Kingsland, Doubletree by Hilton at Atlanta Airport and Hilton Bonnet Creek Hotel in Orlando, Fla.
He was charged with three counts of unauthorized use of a financial transaction card, six counts of theft by taking, one count of violation of oath by a public officer. He turned himself into the Pickens County Adult Detention Center at 7:30 p.m. and was released at 8:32 p.m. after posting a $50,000 bond.
Attempts to reach Wigington were unsuccessful.
More about Wigington
According to his bio on the Magistrate Court webpage, the Superior Court Judges of the Appalachian Judicial Circuit as the Chief Judge of the Magistrate Court in 2011. He began serving in the Magistrate Court in 2008. He also serves as the Associate Judge of the Probate Court of Pickens County.
He was named “Workhorse Judge of the Year” in 2012, “Georgia Magistrate Court Judge of the Year” in 2017, and “Judge Kim Warden Humanitarian Judge of the Year” in 2018. Wigington also served as past president for the Council of Magistrate Court Judges. He was also a faculty member for the Institute of Continuing Judicial Education of Georgia.
Fetchyournews.com will continue to update this story.
Multi-Agency search ends with suspect capture
News March 8, 2019
(Photos provided by Pickens County Sheriff’s Office)
MARBLE HILL, Ga. – According to Pickens County Sheriff’s Office Captain Kris Stancil, a recent accident led to a drawn-out search and capture of one Richard Eric Duckett, 25.
Richard Eric Duckett
The Pickens Sheriff involved support from four other agencies including GBI (Georgia Bureau of Investigation), Georgia State Patrol, the Gilmer Sheriff’s Office, and the Cherokee-Pickens multi-agency SWAT team.
Though they did eventually capture Duckett, what follows is the Pickens Sheriff’s Public Release about the events leading up to his capture.
During a bizarre twist of events, an accident that deputies responded to on Highway 53 East in Marble Hill Georgia on March 7th at approximately 10:30 pm, turned out to be an Aggravated Assault case. Upon arrival at an accident, deputies found the driver of one vehicle to be suffering from a gunshot wound to his leg. Another vehicle, a motorcycle, was also found wrecked with no driver in site.
Recognizing that this was more than an accident, deputies requested the assistance of detectives, the Georgia State Patrol and later the GBI Crime Scene Unit to respond as well.
What we have learned about this active case is that a domestic dispute erupted at a residence on Andiron Way in Marble Hill Georgia. During the dispute, Richard Eric Duckett (age 25) shot Roy Joseph Holloway in the right leg. After shooting Holloway, Duckett then fled the residence on a Yamaha Motorcycle. Holloway then got into a Lexus passenger car and began to chase after him.
As they traveled East on Hwy 53 East, Duckett lost control of the motorcycle and wrecked in the 10000 block of Hwy 53 East, near the J.M. Huber Corporation. Holloway then continued to travel East for approximately ½ mile before he wrecked the car near Pea Ridge Road.
Holloway was transported by ambulance and was treated for his injuries and released.
A search for Duckett began using the assistance of a Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office canine unit. Following a track and additional witness information, it was determined that Duckett had received a ride back to the residence at 18 Andiron Way. Once this information was obtained, detectives obtained a Search Warrant and Arrest Warrant for Mr. Duckett. Due to no one answering the multiple attempts to come to the door, the Cherokee-Pickens multi-agency SWAT team was requested to execute entry and conduct a search warrant.
During the execution of the search warrant, Mr. Duckett was not found in the residence but Patrick Scheibel (age 20) was arrested for Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officers.
Deputies continued to search for Duckett in the immediate area throughout the night.
On Friday, March 8th, deputies were called to a residence in the area of Duckett Lane for an individual requesting an ambulance due to a motorcycle accident. Upon arrival, they learned that the individual was Mr. Duckett. He had what appear to be non-life-threatening injuries and was transported by ambulance to an area hospital for treatment. Detective accompanied him on the transport.
This case is still being actively investigated to determine the events that led up to the shooting and to process the evidence obtained at the residence and in the vehicles.
DA Sosebee begins information campaign in schools
News, Videos September 14, 2018
ELLIJAY, Ga – The Appalachian Judicial Circuit’s District Attorney, Alison Sosebee, began her campaign today in Fannin Middle School and Gilmer High School with presentations for students about the rising trend of vaping in all forms.
Speaking to the students she shared some of the responses that authorities have begun included harsher penalties for vape devices in general, not to mention the felonies possible with controlled substances. Using drugs in the vape devices like the popular Juul brand devices is only a part of growing concerns as authorities and administrations fear for students who expect non-nicotine flavored water vapor in devices they may find friends with when in reality these devices could contain anything from Heroin to Synthetic Marijuana.
Sosebee also invited Georgia Bureau of Investigations Special Agent Dustin Hamby to speak about the Bureau’s involvement. Hamby noted that almost 90% of his cases tied to drug usage in some way. He goes on to note that he’s had three murders in his career directly related to drug usage.
Sosebee recalled the story of a case she and Hamby shared about a guy who had taken drugs with a close friend. Under the influence, he grew greatly agitated at his friend and violently murdered him without full realization. He spoke further about how little it takes to blow up into major consequences in situations like vaping unknown substances.
Sosebee also noted that they are finding that many students and users of vape devices believe them safer than regular cigarettes. She noted that not only is there zero research to support his claim, but there is also no research or regulations on vaping devices right now. No one can tell you everything that is in Vape Juice, nor if people at smoke shops are adding extra ingredients. She called the students this generations guinea pigs for testing if vaping as they would be the cases that doctors study thirty years from now to determine the actual effects that Vaping can have in both short-term and long-term effects.
Only the first day, Sosebee is expected to travel to Fannin High, Pickens High, and Pickens Middle schools in the next two weeks along with possibly adding Gilmer Middle as well.
East Ellijay Police Officer Arrested. Theft by Taking
Featured February 15, 2018
The GBI arrested East Ellijay Police Office Michael McClure at approximately noon today February 14th 2018. A copy of Booking report and warrant below. FYN has requested a statement from the GBI and East Ellijay Police Chief Larry Callahan.
Below is a Press Release Statement from East Ellijay Chief of Police, Larry Callahan.
