Ga. politician is among 19 arrested in human trafficking sting
COLUMBUS, Ga. - According to the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office, 19 suspects, including a Georgia politician, have been arrested in connection to a multi-agency human trafficking operation.
Deputies said the operation targeted those willing to exploit children by purchasing sex with a minor. Officials say boys and girls were targeted through social media apps and dating websites. Authorities confirmed no children were harmed.
Augusta man arrested for alleged child sexual exploitation
A 51-year-old man has been arrested after he was accused of sexual exploitation of children, according to officials.
“It takes a sick individual to want to take away a right that a child has - and the freedom and the safety and the comfort that a child has - to bring harm to these children,” said Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman.
Officials say 32-year-old Carl Sprayberry and 18 other suspects are behind bars after a four-day operation from April 25-28. It focused on individuals engaging in sexually explicit communication with children on the internet, who arranged to engage in sex with a child, and to travel for the purpose of having sex.
Sprayberry ran for Georgia House of Representatives District 139 in the November 2024 election.
Man accused of ‘inappropriately touching’ minor in North Augusta
A 28-year-old man has been arrested after he was accused of criminal sexual conduct with a minor, according to authorities.
“An operation like this takes months to prepare,” said District Attorney Don Kelly. “Protecting our children from these kinds of predators is one of the most important things that we can do both as law enforcement and as prosecutors.”
Officials encourage parents to monitor their children while using social media.
“I can’t stress enough for the parents - please monitor your children and what they do on the computers,” Countryman said. “It’s OK to be a nosey parent. Know who they’re speaking with because we’re not going to stop until they stop preying on our kids.”
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