Pickens County Man Arrested for the Sexual Exploitation of Children
News, Press Release February 10, 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 February 10, 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.
Georgia Criminal Street Gang Database Operational
Featured, State & National February 5, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
@GBI_GA
Contact: Nelly Miles – Public Affairs Director
[email protected]
Decatur, GA (February 4, 2020) – Through the collaborative efforts of the Georgia Bureau of
Investigation (GBI), the Department of Community Supervision (DCS), and the Georgia
Department of Corrections (GDC), the Georgia Criminal Street Gang Database (GCSGD) is now
operational. The GCSGD is a statewide repository and intelligence database that contains
information about various criminal street gangs, criminal street gang members, and associates
and criminal street gang activities.
As outlined in O.C.GA. §16-15-11, the purpose of the GCSGD is:
to expand the recognition and identification of criminal street gangs, their
members/associates and criminal street gang activities,
to increase officer safety by improving the sharing of information among multiple
jurisdictions using computer intelligence database technology,
to enhance community security through the prosecution of criminal street gangs and their
members/associates.
The statute for the GCSGD was enacted in 2010. Under Governor Kemp’s administration, the
implementation of this database has been made a priority. The following agencies participated
in the pilot program: DCS, GDC, Hall County Sheriff’s Office, Morrow Police Department,
South Fulton Police Department, Cobb County Police Department, Cobb County Sheriff’s
Office, and the GBI. The statistics associated with the data remain fluid; but as of today, the
system contains over 100 gangs and over 17,000 gang members & associates.
All state, county, and municipal law enforcement, prosecution and corrections agencies, offices,
and departments may timely furnish information acquired relating to criminal street gangs and
criminal gang activity to the GBI to be included in the GCSGD. To become a participating
agency/authorized user, please email [email protected] requesting access and to complete the
necessary training.
GBI Press Release
Announcements August 26, 2019
Three People Face Gang Charges in Connection with a Toccoa Murder and Aggravated Assault
Toccoa, Georgia (August 26, 2019) – On August 20, 2019, a Stephens County Grand Jury was asked to consider new testimony in the ongoing murder investigation into the death of Joel Keshon Green, 18, of Toccoa, Georgia and in the aggravated assault of Spencer Reason, 18, of Toccoa, Georgia. Green was killed in August 2018 and Kentavious Broudmain Walker, 22, Demetrius Sanchez Smith, 30 and Ty’Jai Trammel, 24, all of Toccoa, were charged in his murder. Reason was shot in July 2018 and Samantha Breanna George, 18 and Kentavious Broudmain Walker were charged with the aggravated assault.
Through continued investigation, it was determined that the crimes committed in these two cases were associated with criminal street gang activity. Because of the new evidence, the case was again presented to a Stephens County Grand Jury this week.
As a result of the Grand Jury proceedings, a true bill indictment was returned and additional warrants against Walker, Smith and George were issued. Walker is charged with malice murder, felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of a firearm during the commission of a felony and 24 counts of violation of the street gang terrorism and prevention act. Smith is charged with malice murder, felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of a firearm during the commission of a felony and 22 counts of violation of the street gang terrorism and prevention act. George is charged with aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and 3 counts of violation of the street gang terrorism and prevention act. Walker and Smith are in custody and will remain in custody. George was arrested on August 21, 2019.
This case is being prosecuted by the Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office.
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Georgia Child Fatality Review Panel Issues Antihistamine Medication Warning for Parents and Caregivers
State & National July 6, 2017
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
News Release
Contact: Special Agent in Charge Trebor Randle
404/693-4717
For Immediate Release
July 5, 2017
Decatur, GA – The Georgia Child Fatality Review (GCFR) Panel is issuing a public awareness statement for parents and caregivers to never use antihistamine medications for the sole purpose of making children sleep or calm down. The danger of such misuse is acute diphenhydramine intoxication that can result in rapid heart rate, confusion, hallucinations, convulsions, and even death.
Since 2013, the Georgia Poison Control (GPC) Center has received 940 reports of this condition involving children age 5 and under. In Georgia, four infants have died because of the toxic effects of diphenhydramine since 2015.
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration advises that children under age two not be given any kind of cough and cold product that contains a decongestant or antihistamine, because serious and possibly life- threatening side effects could occur. National polling data has shown that as many as one in five mothers have given such drugs to get through a “big event,” such as a long car ride or plane trip. In some cases, it is dosing errors that cause the acute intoxication of the diphenhydramine. The difference between a tablespoon instead of a teaspoon can mean life or death for an infant.
Not sure which antihistamine is best for your child? Call your doctor or pediatrician. If you think you gave too much medication to your child, immediately contact Poison Control at 1-800- 222-1222 or start a LIVE CHAT with a poison information specialist at www.georgiapoisoncenter.org.
The main purpose of the GCFR Panel is to prevent child deaths. The mission of GCFR is to serve Georgia’s children by promoting more accurate identification and reporting of child fatalities, evaluating the prevalence and circumstances of both child abuse cases and child fatality investigations, and monitoring the implementation and impact of the statewide child injury prevention plan to prevent and reduce incidents of child abuse and fatalities in the state.
The GPC mission is to provide high quality poison center services to healthcare professionals and residents of Georgia. GPC goals are: provide 24-hour- a-day prompt and accurate poison information, educate Georgia residents on poison prevention and first aid, and educate healthcare professionals in the areas of clinical toxicology, poisoning epidemiology, poison prevention, toxicological diagnosis, and care.
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
State & National June 28, 2017
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
News Release
Contact: Nelly Miles – Public Affairs Director
404/270-8330
For Immediate Release
June 27, 2017
GBI Crime Lab Identifies Two New Fentanyl Analogues Cleveland, GA – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Crime Lab in Cleveland, GA has identified two new fentanyl analogues, acrylfentanyl and tetrahydrofuran fentanyl. Both of these synthetic opioids had not previously been identified by the GBI Crime Lab. They both can be absorbed through the skin and are considered highly dangerous.
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office submitted forensic drug evidence containing these two drugs to the crime lab in March of this year. Acrylfentanyl had been on the GBI’s watchlist for the past few months. Multiple reports in other states indicated that the opioid reversal drug, naloxone, may not be effective if someone overdosed after ingesting acrylfentanyl.
Legislation was introduced this year to outlaw acrylfentanyl in Georgia. The law banning the substance went into effect after passage by the Georgia General Assembly and the Governor’s signature on April 17, 2017. At this time, tetrahydrofuran fentanyl is not covered under GA law.
It is unknown how the human body will react to both drugs since they are not intended for human or veterinary use.
GBI Seeks Help with Identifying Body Found in Banks County.
News June 23, 2017
GBI Seeks Help with Identifying Body
Commerce, Georgia – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is seeking the public’s help in identifying human remains found near Interstate 85 in Banks County.
On Sunday, February 5, 2017, a skeleton was discovered in a wooded area near New Salem Methodist Church, at 2170 Highway 59, in Commerce. The body’s location was one mile south of I-85, Exit 154 for Toccoa/SR 63/Martin Bridge Road. The Banks County Sheriff’s Office requested GBI’s assistance with the investigation.
A forensic anthropological examination estimates the remains to be of an African American/Hispanic female, approximately 30-44 years of age, and approximately 4’9’ to 5’6” in height. The date of death is estimated to be up to 4 years prior to the time of discovery.
Found among the remains, was a metal ring and a butterfly necklace charm (see attached photographs). Blue, purple, and gray in color fabrics were also collected from the scene. Dental is available for comparison.
Anyone with information concerning the case is asked to call the GBI Athens office at 706-552-2309 or the Banks County Sheriff’s Office at 706-677-2248. Information may also be submitted on-line here.
GBI Crime Lab Testing in Overdoses Related to Counterfeit Pills
News June 8, 2017
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
News Release
Contact: Nelly Miles – Public Affairs Director
404/270-8330
For Immediate Release
June 8, 2017
GBI Crime Lab Testing in Overdoses Related to Counterfeit Pills
Decatur, GA – On Wednesday, June 7, 2017, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Crime Lab received evidence related to the reported overdoses in the Central Georgia area. Preliminary results indicate a mixture of two synthetic opioids, with one of the drugs being consistent with a new fentanyl analogue. This fentanyl analogue has not previously been identified by the GBI Crime Lab. Due to the nature of the analysis, testing to confirm the full identity of the drug will require additional time. The GBI Crime Laboratory continues to make the analysis a priority.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia Department of Public Health, Georgia Poison Center, hospitals, local, state, and federal partners are working jointly on this investigation.
GBI Announces Recruitment of Forensic Pathology Fellows
Featured April 12, 2017Decatur, GA – On Tuesday, April 11 2017, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Medical Examiner’s Office (GBI ME) after receiving approval from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), announced the recruitment efforts for two Forensic Pathology fellows. This announcement was made possible because the Georgia legislature approved funding in the GBI’s FY ’18 budget to host the fellows. The fellowship opportunity will recur each year and the agency is looking forward to begin staffing new fellows.
A forensic pathology fellow is a licensed medical doctor who has already completed the general pathology training and interested in sub-specializing in forensic pathology. Approval from ACGME illustrates that the GBI ME’s Office is well respected in the country and a premier provider of service to the community.
This fellowship opportunity will be held in conjunction with Augusta State University and aid in the recruitment and retention of well-trained forensic pathologists to keep the agency up to par with the growing population of the state. Under direct supervision of board certified forensic pathologists, the fellows will perform autopsies and postmortem examinations to determine cause and manner of death and testify in court when called upon.
The GBI is the perfect location to train future generations of forensic pathologists with the
ME’s office located in a fully accredited lab containing all the forensic disciplines. The GBI ME’s Office provides complete forensic pathology services to 153 of Georgia’s 159 counties in deaths which qualify as coroner cases under the Georgia Death Investigation Act. GBI’s Medical Examiner System is comprised of 13 forensic pathologists and 24 death investigation specialists.