Latest news with #FBIAtlanta
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
FBI arrests six people across NC over alleged child sex abuse
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — In a nationwide operation to identify, track and arrest child sexual predators across the country, over 200 people have been arrested and 115 children rescued during a five-day initiative called Operation Restore Justice. Among those arrests, six people across North Carolina were charged. Terrell Shawn Anderson , previously of Charlotte, 30: Charged with distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and possession of child sexual abuse material. He faces at least five years in federal prison and up to twenty years on each distribution county and up to twenty years on the possession count. He was arrested by FBI Atlanta. Jonathan Robert Davlin , of Huntersville, 48: Charged with transportation of CSAM and possession and access with intent to view CSAM involving prepubescent minors. He faces at least five years and up to twenty years imprisonment on the transportation count and up to twenty years imprisonment on the possession count. Donte Melvin Peek , of Durham, 34: Charged with attempted enticement of a minor, distribution of CSAM, receipt of CSAM and possession of CSAM. He faces at least 10 years imprisonment and up to life imprisonment on the enticement charge and up to twenty years in federal prison on the possession count, if convicted. William Justin Lewis , of Louisburg, 54: Charged with distributing CSAM and possessing CSAM. He faces at least five years in federal prison, up to twenty years on each distribution count and up to twenty years on the possession count. Jesse Lonzo Teal , of Bolivia, 72, also known as 'Lonnie' and 'Mark': Charged with sex trafficking a minor, enticing a minor to engage in illegal sexual conduct, producing CSAM and using the internet to promote illegal prostitution business enterprise. He faces at least ten years and up to life imprisonment, if convicted on all counts. John Matthew Miller, of Wilmington, 35: Charged with sex trafficking a minor, enticing a minor 'Producing and exchanging child sexual abuse material (CSAM) is a sickening reality in our world and it's not just happening on the dark web. Pedophiles use the same platforms your family and friends use. No matter where this crime is occurring the FBI will find you. The Violent Crimes Against Children (VCAC) program is uniquely positioned to work complex global and multijurisdictional crimes against children with the capacity to counter threats of abuse and exploitation of children,' said Robert M. DeWitt, the FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Atlanta FBI Office charges nine people accused of child sex abuse offenses in ‘Operation Restore Justice'
Editor's Note: Video courtesy of FBI Atlanta ATLANTA (WRBL) — The Federal Bureau of Investigation announced today the conclusion of their coordinated effort to arrest accused child sex abuse offenders. The FBI says their coordinated efforts of 55 FBI field offices resulted in the arrest of 205 people and 115 children rescued nationwide. As part of the operation, titled 'Operation Restore Justice', the Atlanta Field Office charged nine people. Five people in Atlanta, three people at the Augusta resident agency, and two people out of the Rome area. The charges for eight of the subjects range from possession of child sexual abuse material to enticement of a minor. One person was charged with obstruction of justice. 'Our commitment is resolute. FBI Atlanta remains steadfast in its mission to safeguard children from those who seek to harm society's most vulnerable,' said Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. The FBI says this operation between April 28 and May 1, was a joint effort with federal, state and local partners to coincide with the end of Child Abuse Prevention Month and highlight the FBI's ongoing efforts to confront these crimes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
FBI arrests 205, rescues 115 children in Operation Restore Justice
(WJBF) – The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested dozens of accused child sex abuse offenders. In a coordinated effort by all 55 FBI field offices called Operation Restore Justice, 205 people were arrested and 115 children rescued nationwide last week alone. The Atlanta Field Office charged 9 people as part of this operation. Five in Atlanta, 3 out of the Augusta, and 2 out of the Rome area. The charges for 8 of the subjects range from possession of child sexual abuse material to enticement of a minor. One subject was charged with obstruction of justice. This initiative between April 28th and May 1, was a joint effort with federal, state and local partners to coincide with the end of Child Abuse Prevention Month and highlight the FBI's ongoing efforts to confront these crimes. 'Our commitment is resolute. FBI Atlanta remains steadfast in its mission to safeguard children from those who seek to harm society's most vulnerable,' said Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. 'However, let there be no confusion—this week's operation is just one chapter in a relentless, year-round effort that our dedicated agents are fully invested in. We will continue to leverage every tool and resource at our disposal to track down child predators and ensure they face justice.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Georgia seniors lost $174 million to fraudsters in 2024, FBI says
The Federal Bureau of Investigation released its Internet Crime Report for 2024, showing how much Americans were hit by cybercrimes. The FBI said Georgians potentially lost $420 million, a 40% increase compared to 2023. The agency said criminals continue to target elderly Americans at a high rate, with complaints by seniors in Georgia up 71% year-over-year in 2024. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] In terms of dollars, losses rose 89%. Among the state's seniors, $174 million was lost, according to the FBI. Crimes involving cryptocurrency also rose, more than doubling in 2024. The FBI said there were 1,590 cryptocurrency-related crimes in 2023 but 3,533 in 2024. TRENDING STORIES: Police investigating shooting involving an officer in Southwest Atlanta Young Georgia equestrian severely injured after getting kicked in the head by horse Caregiver accused of buying Shein outfits, paying bills with Alzheimer's patient's credit card That's a 122% increase, the agency said. From cryptocurrency-related crimes, the FBI said Georgians lost $197.65 million in the past year, a 66% increase compared to 2023. 'While the top threats facing Georgia and the nation from cyber criminals and fraudsters continue to evolve, their main goal remains stealing your hard-earned money,' said FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown. 'The cornerstone of the FBI's mission remains to protect American citizens. The men and women of FBI Atlanta will not stop working to prevent losses and minimize the harm to Georgia residents.' The FBI said the top three cybercrimes in 2024 were phishing/spoofing, extortion and personal data breaches, and that cryptocurrency-related losses were higher than any other category. Channel 2's Michael Doudna will be at FBI headquarters Thursday afternoon, where agents will share their recommendations on how to avoid becoming a victim of financial crimes. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Yahoo
FBI warning Georgians of 'staggering' rise in cybercrimes and scams
The Brief Georgia was ranked seventh in the country for losses from cybercrimes in the FBI's annual Internet Crime Report. Authorities say scammers have targeted seniors in the state and stole more than $174 million last year alone. Reports of cryptocurrency-related crimes more than doubled from 2023 to 2024, reaching losses of over $197 million. ATLANTA - The FBI is warning Georgians about a serious spike in cybercrimes and fraud targeting residents of the Peach State. New data from the law enforcement agency shows that Georgians lost hundreds of millions of dollars because of cybercriminals last year - a dramatic increase from 2023. By the numbers The FBI's annual Internet Crime Report shows that the agency received more than 850,000 complaints in 2024, topping more than $16.6 billion in losses across the country. Here in Georgia, there were more than $420 million in potential losses reported - a 40% increase from the year before. Authorities say that internet-related complaints and crimes continue to "increase significantly" across the state, and they're warning residents to be careful with who you trust online. "The numbers are staggering in terms of the losses, and we see that from a personal perspective. When I see a victim come in, those aren't just numbers in a report, those are real people," FBI Supervisory Special Agent Aaron Seres said. Dig deeper The top three cybercrimes reported in 2024 were phishing/spoofing, extortion, and personal data breaches, but the agency says the biggest losses by far came from cryptocurrency losses. Reports of cryptocurrency-related crimes more than doubled from 2023 to 2024, with more than 3500 cases reported last year. The estimated losses increased by 66% to more than $197 million. "It's really a confidence scheme at the end of the day. So it's a relationship you form online. People are lonely. They want a relationship, which is great, but they're getting defrauded into a relationship with someone who's not real," Seres said. "And then they offer an opportunity to get involved in a cryptocurrency investment - which those are fake, they're offline, they're overseas - and then the problem with that crime is that once the money is sent with cryptocurrency, it's very hard to recover," The biggest target for the crimes are elderly people; losses reported by seniors in Georgia jumped 89% to more than $174 million. "People are losing the entirety of their life savings because they feel comfortable. They think they're investing with a friend, and they're not," Seres said. What they're saying "While the top threats facing Georgia and the nation from cyber criminals and fraudsters continue to evolve, their main goal remains stealing your hard-earned money," said FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown. "The cornerstone of the FBI's mission remains to protect American citizens. The men and women of FBI Atlanta will not stop working to prevent losses and minimize the harm to Georgia residents." What you can do The FBI says the best way you can protect yourself is by making sure that you know who you're talking to and avoid possible malicious links. Don't click on anything in unsolicited emails or text messages and try to avoid sharing information online that could give scammers what they need to access your accounts. Do not send payments to unknown people or organizations that are looking for money and are urging you to do something immediately. The agency also recommends keeping your system up to date and installing a strong anti-virus program as well as creating strong passwords for your online accounts. If you do think you're a victim of a cybercrime, file a report with the Internet Crime Complaint Center as soon as possible. The Source Information for this story came from a release by the FBI as well as the agency's page on cybercrimes.
