A Hart County man has now been indicted on charges of human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children after allegedly paying a 16-year-old girl for sex.
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr's office announced the indictment Thursday morning, saying it was handed down by a grand jury from Fulton County, the county in which the alleged crimes took place. The office said the case happened in November 2024.
The suspect, Reed Cohen Skelton, age 26 of Bowersville, was arrested at a location in Hall County on March 11 after an investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
"Skelton is alleged to have traveled to Fulton County to pick up the 16-year-old female after initiating contact with her online," the release by Carr's office said. "Once he picked her up, the defendant is alleged to have transported the 16-year-old to a hotel in Fulton County, where he rented a room and engaged in sexual intercourse with the minor."
Carr's office said Skelton allegedly paid the girl $500 and also created digital files of the encounter. Both Carr and GBI Director Chris Hosey said the case is another example social media being used as a medium for predators to attract minors.
"Those online discussions may go undetected until it's too late, which is why we continue to talk with students and parents about the importance of internet safety," Carr said.
"This case is a tragic reminder of how predators use social media to target vulnerable victims," Hosey added. "The GBI remains committed to aggressively investigating thsoe who exploit and harm children."
http://accesswdun.com/article/2025/4/1290445/hart-county-man-indicted-on-human-trafficking-charges