Johnson County deputes: Swainsboro man arrested on child molestation, burglary charges after joint investigation

Deputies say 57-year-old Melvin “Shotgun” Holder was arrested Friday and faces multiple charges after an incident involving two minors in Wrightsville.

WRIGHTSVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Swainsboro man is facing child molestation and burglary charges following a joint investigation between the Johnson and Emanuel County sheriff’s offices.

According to a news release from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, deputies arrested 57-year-old Melvin “Shotgun” Holder on Friday after investigators obtained warrants for his arrest. Holder is charged with two counts of child molestation and one count of burglary, the release said.

The charges stem from an incident on October 18, when investigators say Holder entered a home without permission, restrained one 12-year-old victim and sexually molested another. The sheriff’s office says its Criminal Investigation Division began investigating on October 28 after receiving information about the case.

Emanuel County deputies helped find and arrest Holder without incident. He was taken to the Emanuel County Detention Center. Investigators later obtained a search warrant for his home.

“No child should ever have to experience something so terrible,” Johnson County Sheriff Greg Rowland said. “Our duty is not only to bring offenders to justice, but to stand with the victims and their families every step of the way. I’m thankful for the teamwork and professionalism shown by Sheriff Brewer and the Emanuel County Sheriff’s Office CID. Together, we made sure this suspect could no longer harm another child.”

The investigation is ongoing. If you have information, call Investigator Troy Fallin with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at (478) 864-4003.