Guyton Man Charged with Sexual Exploitation of a Child

A Guyton man is in the Effingham County Jail today facing multiple charges stemming from an investigation between the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Department Of Homeland Security.

Investigators with the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task made contact with Brandon Fanning, 19, of Guyton at a residence in the 100 block of Lakeshore Road Guyton, Georgia this morning following an ongoing investigation into sexual exploitation of children.

The investigation revealed that Fanning had been molesting an underage boy and possessed videos of the sexual acts between he and the victim which he was sharing.

Fanning has been charged with aggravated child molestation, child molestation, and sexual exploitation of a child.

This case remains under investigation by the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Department of Homeland Security.

The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office are cooperative members of the Georgia Internet Crimes against Children Task Force (ICAC). The ICAC Task Force program was created by the Department of Justice to help State and Local Law Enforcement agencies enhance their investigative response to offenders who use the Internet, online communications systems, or other computer technology to sexually exploit children. The program is currently composed of 61 regional Task Force agencies across the nation and is funded by the United States Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Georgia’s ICAC Regional Task Force is supervised by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The Georgia ICAC Task Force is comprised of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies within the State of Georgia.

“Protecting our children is one of the highest priorities at the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, and we will continue to pursue these cases in the future with ICAC.” said Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie.

ECSO Searching For Missing Person

The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing person. George Hatfield, 52, of Rincon, was reported missing this afternoon by family members. He was last seen at his residence on Maple Drive off McCall Road South. Family members and deputies are concerned for his safety. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office at 912-754-3449

ECSO Urge Motorists to Use Caution as School Resumes

The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office urges motorists to be extra vigilant for pedestrians as county schools resume classes Monday.

Citizens will see deputies in school zones and near bus stops helping ensure pedestrian safety as well as conducting traffic enforcement. The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office also wants to remind drivers that when bus lights and stop signs are activated, vehicles must stop in both directions, unless they are separated by a median.

There will be zero tolerance for speeding in school zones.

Below are some safety tips from the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office:

Pedestrians
• Always cross on marked crosswalks.Vehicles anticipate people in these locations.
• Obey any pedestrian signals and look left-right-left; you should make sure the road is clear.
• If a vehicle approaches, make eye contact with the driver; make sure he/she sees you before you go.
• Look before walking past stopped vehicles; you cannot assume all cars see you in their lanes of travel. Be sure all lanes are clear first.
• Remember that bicyclists are not considered pedestrians unless they are walking their bikes. Otherwise, they are considered vehicles.

Drivers
• Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and at intersections.
• Be prepared to stop at all marked crosswalks. Reduce speed in areas with crosswalks.
• Be alert for bicyclists
• Come to a complete stop if pedestrians are crossing or preparing to cross.
• Wait until pedestrians have crossed at least one lane past the lane you are in before resuming travel.
• Never pass another vehicle that has stopped or is slowing down at a crosswalk.

School bus safety
• When you are waiting for the school bus, you should wait at the bus top, and stand at least five big steps from the curb.
• When you get off the bus, look to the rear of the bus before you step off the bottom step. Take five giant steps straight out the bus door, and out of the danger zone.
• Make sure you have eye contact with the driver, and wait for the driver to signal you before you cross in front of the bus.
• Never go back for anything you have left on the bus.
• Never bend down near or under the bus.

 

 

Man Charged in Effingham County Homicide

One man is in custody after he shot and killed his cousin. On Tuesday at approximately 8 p.m. deputies responded to the 300 block of Nixon Chapel Road on a report of a person shot.

The investigation revealed that George Antwon Perry, 23, of Clyo, shot his cousin, Christopher Williams, 19, of Clyo during an argument. Williams was pronounced dead on the scene.

Perry turned himself in to Effingham County Sheriff’s investigators shortly after he fled the scene.

Perry is charged with murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, along with other charges. Perry is currently being held in the Effingham County jail.

An autopsy will be performed at the GBI Crime Lab.

ECSO Arrests Man on Child Porn Charges

A Guyton man is in jail tonight after members of the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes against Children Task Force conducted a search warrant at a residence on Barrister Circle.

Ronald Mullins, 50 , of Guyton, was arrested and charged with sexual exploitation of children, and possession of child pornography. Mullins was in possession of over 100 images and videos of child pornography. The ages of some of the children were between four and 12 years of age.

Deputies seized computers as well as other electronic equipment during the search warrant. Mullins is currently being held in the Effingham County Jail awaiting a bond hearing.

The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office are cooperative members of the Georgia Internet Crimes against Children Task Force (ICAC). The ICAC Task Force program was created by the Department of Justice to help State and Local Law Enforcement agencies enhance their investigative response to offenders who use the Internet, online communications systems, or other computer technology to sexually exploit children. The program is currently composed of 61 regional Task Force agencies across the nation and is funded by the United States Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Georgia’s ICAC Regional Task Force is supervised by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The Georgia ICAC Task Force is comprised of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies within the State of Georgia.

“Protecting our children is one of the highest priorities at the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, and we will continue to pursue these cases in the future with ICAC.” said Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie.

ECSO Seek’s Public’s Assistance

The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing person.
Deputies are looking for Cathy Fagaines, 48, of Springfield. Fagaines was last seen at Bevill’s mobile home park in Springfield. Fagaines was last seen Friday, reported missing on Saturday, and does not have her medication on her. Anyone with information on Fagaines whereabouts is urged to called the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office at 912-754-3449.

Teen Killed in I – 16 Crash

One teenager was killed and three others were injured in a crash on I – 16 this afternoon. At approximately 5:30 deputies responded to a report of a single vehicle crash on I – 16 East at Old River Road. Initial reports show that the driver of the white sedan was traveling eastbound when the driver attempted to avoid a vehicle in front of it which slowed down to a slow speed. The vehicle crashed into a tree. A 13 year old girl was pronounced dead on the scene and three others were transported to a Savannah hospital with non life threatening injuries. The names of the victims are being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The crash remains under investigation by the Georgia State Patrol.

Search on For Bank Robbery Suspect

The Rincon Police Department, Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, and Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating a bank robbery at First Effingham Bank on Ga. 21.

Shortly after 2 p.m Rincon officers and Effingham County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the bank on a report of a robbery. A black male wearing an orange vest and a hat entered the bank brandishing a silver firearm and demanded money. The suspect got away with an undisclosed amount of money. The FBI Office in Savannah responded and is also investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call the Rincon Police Department or the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office.

Man Killed After Hit by Train

One man was killed Friday night after he was struck by a train while walking on the railroad tracks. At approximately 8 p.m ECSO responded to the intersection of Springfield Egypt and Bethel Roads on a report of a train crash involving a pedestrian.

The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division continues to investigate along with Norfolk Southern. There are no signs of foul play at this time. The identification is being withheld at this time until the next of kin is notified.

Charges Filed Against Driver Who Hit Teen

The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office has filed charges against the driver who stuck and critically injured a 14 year old South Effingham School student in May. Effingham County Sheriff’s investigators have obtained warrants for Jonathan Chase Skaggs, 29, for felony serious injury by vehicle, and reckless driving.

On May 16th, Dylan Cain was walking down Glenwood Drive to his bus stop on Highway 30 when Skaggs struck him while driving in a reckless manner. Investigators have been gathering all of the facts over the past several weeks by interviewing witnesses, the offender, and the victim.

Cain was airlifted to Memorial Health University Medical Center after the crash where he remained in critical condition for several days. At last report, Cain was taken to an out of town rehabilitation center. Anyone with information on Skaggs whereabouts is asked to contact the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office at 912-754-3449.