Latest news with #CherokeeSheriff'sOffice
News18
5 days ago
- News18
Indian-Origin Man Among 12 Arrested For Child Trafficking Ring
The case emerged following a sting operation called 'Operation Phantom Whisper.' An undercover investigation has led to the arrest of 12 men in the state of Georgia in the US, suspected of being involved in a child trafficking ring. According to information released by the Cherokee Sheriff's Office, 11 of the individuals were arrested on charges of attempting to have sex with a minor girl, while one suspect faces charges related to child pornography. The list of suspects includes an Indian-origin man currently residing in Georgia. The case emerged following a sting operation called 'Operation Phantom Whisper," aimed at identifying adults attempting to engage in illegal sexual activity with minors. Officers involved in the operation posed as underage girls and arranged meetings with individuals suspected of such intentions. Multiple federal, state, and local agencies participated in the investigation. The team that worked on Operation Phantom Whisper included the Cherokee Sheriff's Office, Homeland Security Investigations–Atlanta, Gwinnett County Police, Cobb County Sheriff's Office, Grovetown Police Department, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Eleven of the twelve suspects were arrested when they arrived at a pre-arranged location, believing they were meeting a 14-year-old girl. Authorities confirmed that the suspects' motive was to engage in physical acts with a minor. All were taken into custody and charged with various felony offences. 'The safety and well-being of our children has always been and will always be a top priority," said Cherokee County Sheriff Frank Reynolds in the news release. The individuals arrested in the sting operation were identified as Sudhakar Gogireddy, Nivell McKindley, Jonathan Wayne Brian Brackett, Daylon Emil Figueroa, Jonathan Torres Nunez, Nicholas Ryan Robinson, Steven A. Davis, Kenneth Soto-Jaimes, Jose Fernando Salgado, Michael Vang, Timothy Morice Drawdy, and Hunter William Bowman-Daniel. Sudhakar Gogireddy, aged 34, is believed to be of Indian origin and lives in Alpharetta, Georgia. He faces multiple charges, including trafficking a person, luring a child into an illegal act, and criminal attempt. According to Fox5 Atlanta, the Cherokee Sheriff's Office stated that Gogireddy is on an ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) hold and is being held without bond. Several other suspects are also being held without bond and are under similar charges with ICE holds in place. Further information about the ongoing investigation has not yet been released. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Indian-origin man among 12 arrested in US in child exploitation sting, they traveled to Cherokee to have sex with 14-year-old
Indian-origin Sudhakar Gogireddy is one of the 12 men arrested in Georgia in a child exploitation sting operation. 12 men were arrested in Georgia's Cherokee County in a three-day multi-agency sting operation when these men traveled to Cherokee County with the alleged intent to have sex with someone they believed was a 14-year-old. 11 of them were arrested from the Cherokee County while another man was arrested at his home on child pornography charges. One of the 12 men is 34-year-old Sudhakar Gogireddy, believed to be of Indian origin. Gogireddy, who stays in Georgia's Alpharetta, faces multiple felony charges, including trafficking a person for sexual servitude, use of a computer to seduce, solicit, lure or entice a child to commit an illegal act, and criminal attempt. According to the sheriff's office, Gogireddy is on hold for ICE and is currently being held without bond. Operation Phantom Whisper The arrests were part of Operation Phantom Whisper in which multiple agencies took part -- Cherokee Sheriff's Office, Homeland Security Investigations- Atlanta, Gwinnett County Police, Cobb County Sheriff's Office, Grovetown Police Department, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Investigators posed online as underage girls, arranged meetups and arrested the suspects upon arrival. "The safety and well-being of our children has always been and will always be a top priority," said Cherokee County Sheriff Frank Reynolds. "The arrests of these individuals send a strong message that we will not tolerate those who prey on our most vulnerable population." Apart from Gogireddy, the other arrested are Niyell McKindley, Jonathan Wayne Brian Bracket, Daylon Emil Figueroa, Jonathan Torres Nunez, Nicholas Ryan Robinson, Steven A Davis, Kenneth Soto-Jaimes, Jose Fernando Salgado, Michael Vang, Timothy Morice Drawdy and Hunter William Bowman-Daniel
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Woodstock man sentenced to 35 years for domestic violence case
The Brief William Scott Kirk II of Woodstock was sentenced to 35 years—10 in prison and 25 on probation—after pleading guilty to multiple felonies in a domestic violence case involving an armed standoff. The incident occurred in May 2024 when Kirk trapped his girlfriend inside an apartment with a handgun; SWAT teams rescued her safely after several hours. Kirk was prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior conviction; five guns were found in his apartment following the arrest. CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. - A Woodstock man has been sentenced to 35 years after pleading guilty to multiple felony charges stemming from a domestic violence incident that led to an armed standoff and SWAT response last year. What we know William Scott Kirk II, 35, entered a negotiated guilty plea on April 25 to charges including family violence aggravated assault, false imprisonment, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon during the commission of a felony, according to District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Kirk will serve 10 years in prison, with the remaining 25 years on probation. He must also have no contact with the victim, complete a Family Violence Intervention Program, and undergo mental health and substance abuse evaluation and treatment. The charges stem from an incident that occurred on May 20, 2024, at an Alta Ridgewalk apartment in Woodstock. Prosecutors said a verbal argument between Kirk and his girlfriend escalated into physical violence, prompting the woman to leave and seek help from friends. When she later returned with those friends to retrieve her dog and personal belongings, Kirk allowed her inside but then locked the door, brandished a handgun, and prevented her from leaving. The friends, who witnessed Kirk holding the firearm and heard the woman screaming, immediately called 911. Multiple law enforcement agencies responded, including the Woodstock Police Department, Cherokee Sheriff's Office, and Holly Springs Police Department. The Cherokee Sheriff's Hostage Negotiation Team attempted to make contact with Kirk, but he refused to communicate. After several hours, SWAT officers entered the apartment, safely rescued the victim, and arrested Kirk. A search of the residence turned up five firearms, despite Kirk being a convicted felon prohibited from possessing weapons. What they're saying District Attorney Treadaway praised the law enforcement response, saying, "The explosive rage of this defendant posed a substantial risk to the safety of the victim and surrounding residents of the apartment complex. We are grateful for the swift and coordinated response of our law enforcement agencies that ensured the victim's safe rescue and protected our community as a whole." The case was investigated by the Cherokee Sheriff's Office and Woodstock Police Department, with assistance from the Holly Springs Police Department. What you can do If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the Cherokee Family Violence Center at or call their 24/7 crisis hotline at 770-479-1703. In an emergency, dial 911.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Yahoo
Acworth man convicted, sentenced for molesting 8-year-old child
The Brief 45-year-old Acworth man convicted of child molestation. Child found courage to tell mother after attending Shop with a Cop Christmas event. Dustin Wilkes sentenced to 40 years, with 20 served. CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga, - A 45-year-old Acworth man has been sentenced to 40 years, with the first 20 years in prison and the remainder on probation, for two counts of child molestation. What we know Dustin Luther Wilkes was sentenced on April 8 by Superior Court Judge Jennifer L. Davis, according to District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway, after being found guilty by a jury on Feb. 25. Wilkes is also forbidden to have contact with the named victims in the case. The Cherokee County investigation began in December 2023 after a child disclosed that Wilkes had been sexually assaulting her for several months. The defendant was known to the child and committed the acts when the child was in third grade. What they're saying "This predator manipulated his way into this family, to the point that he was often alone with an 8-year-old child and able to commit these criminal acts of molestation upon her. In the span of five months, a happy little girl became quiet and withdrawn," said Assistant District Attorney Meaghan Frankish, of the Special Victims Unit, who prosecuted this case on behalf of the State. It was while attending a Shop with a Cop Christmas event that the child found the courage to tell her mother what Wilkes had been doing. During a forensic interview, she described how Wilkes would climb on top of her and rub his body on her body and tell her he loved her. He also told her not to tell anyone what he was doing. The jury deliberated less than 30 minutes before finding Wilkes guilty. Prior to pronouncing her sentence, Judge Davis spoke about the bravery of the child and the positive impact law enforcement had on the course of her life through the Shop with a Cop event. The case was investigated by the Cherokee Sheriff's Office and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Meaghan Frankish, of the Special Victims Unit, Office of the District Attorney, Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit.
Miami Herald
18-03-2025
- Miami Herald
19-year-old was raped after leaving work in 1986, Georgia cops say. 76-year-old arrested
A registered sex offender has been charged in a decades-old rape case, thanks to a DNA match, Georgia deputies said. Thomas Lamar Keith, 76, was arrested Monday, March 17, on rape and kidnapping charges in the 1986 assault of a 19-year-old woman in Canton, according to the Cherokee Sheriff's Office. 'I never thought this day would ever come,' the woman, who asked not to be named, told deputies. 'I want to thank the Cherokee Sheriff's Office and the detectives who worked this case. Thank you for never giving up. You all have restored my faith in the justice system,' she said. The charges come 39 years after the woman was attacked as she left work at a local convenience store, deputies said. She was attacked as she got into her car and was taken to another location where she was raped, according to the release. A rape kit was collected, deputies said. However, it couldn't be tested and the case went cold. 'Thanks to the diligent efforts of our investigators and the GBI Crime Lab, we had a breakthrough when the sexual assault kit got a match in' the Combined DNA Index System, also known as CODIS, deputies said. Investigators said Keith is a registered sex offender in Fulton County and is suspected in another sexual assault from 1986. That case is under investigation. Keith remained in the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center without bond as of March 18, online records show. Canton is about a 40-mile drive north from downtown Atlanta.
