Officers arrest two on molestation chargesCase involves child pornography
by Al Summers -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Acting on a tip, Gilmer County detectives moved quickly to make two arrests in connection with a case that involved nude photographs of juveniles Friday, Jan. 26. Steven Rudy, 41, of Ellijay, was arrested and charged with one count of aggravated child molestation, two counts of enticing a child for indecent purposes, and a probation violation. Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson said he expects more charges to be filed against Rudy. Also arrested was Sonya Jones of Dalton, who was charged with one count of aggravated child molestation. The case began to unfold when detectives received a report that Rudy had photos of nude juveniles on a cellular phone. A cell phone was recovered which contained the alleged photos. Investigators then began an identification process of those who were in the photographs. They later executed a search warrant at Rudy’s residence where more evidence was recovered and Rudy was taken into custody. Through evidence recovered at the scene, investigators were able to obtain a warrant for the arrest of Jones, who was picked up by Gilmer County detectives last Friday, Feb. 2, in Dalton. Nicholson told the Times-Courier, “We have requested assistance from agents of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation because of the nature and depth of this crime. Once the victims in this case are interviewed, there will be even more charges brought against these two individuals, and anyone else who might be involved.” In an unrelated incident, Gilmer county detectives discovered a little less than one half of an ounce of methamphetamine at a home on Yukon Road. During the serving of a warrant, Patricia Patton, age 50, was arrested. |