Johnson County Sheriff: 19-year-old arrested, faces 20 child exploitation charges

Investigators say the arrest followed a CyberTip and a search of electronic devices.

EMANUEL COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A 19-year-old man is behind bars after a multi-agency child exploitation investigation led to his arrest in Emanuel County.

According to a news release from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, its deputies, along with the Emanuel County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, arrested Jacob Fields on Tuesday. He’s charged with 20 counts of sexual exploitation of children. Investigators say the charges stem from possession of child sexual abuse material.

The release says the investigation began December 2 after a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children alerted authorities to possible online possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material.

On Tuesday, investigators executed a search warrant at Fields’ home on Cow Ford Bridge Road in Emanuel County. They say a forensic search of electronic devices revealed evidence of child sexual abuse material.

“This is sickening to me and it will not be tolerated,” Sheriff Greg Rowland said. “Our children should be protected at all costs. County lines have no boundaries when protecting them. This suspect selfishly exploited children and will now pay the consequences for his disgusting behavior. I commend our Investigators, Emanuel County Sheriff’s Office and the GBI for their thorough investigation and arrest of this individual.”

Anyone with information about this case or other cases involving child exploitation should call Investigator Troy Fallin with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office at (478) 864-4003.