Police: Fair confrontation investigation leads to separate child-related charge

Police say cellphone evidence supported a charge involving alleged conduct separate from Tuesday’s confrontation at the Georgia National Fair.

UPDATE (10/15/26): Perry police say they have made an arrest for obscene internet contact with a child following an investigation that developed after a “confrontation” Tuesday at the Georgia National Fair.

According to a news release, the investigation involved alleged sexually explicit electronic communications with someone believed to be a minor.

Police say evidence supporting the arrest was discovered during a court-authorized search of a cellphone.

Police say the criminal charge concerns alleged conduct separate from the confrontation at the fair.

The department did not identify the person arrested.

Houston County jail records show 38-year-old Austin Robert Mullis was booked Thursday on a warrant charging him with computer or electronic pornography and child exploitation.

41NBC has asked Perry police to confirm the identity of the person referenced in the release.

The department has not released additional information to 41NBC about what happened during the confrontation.

The investigation remains active.

If you have information, call Detective Lt. Kimberly Morton through the Perry Police Department at (478) 988-2800.

ORIGINAL STORY (10/14/26):

PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Perry police are investigating a confrontation involving members of an “independent, third-party organization” at the Georgia National Fair.

According to a news release, the confrontation happened Tuesday, October 13.

Police say the organization involved is a third-party group that isn’t affiliated with, authorized by or acting on behalf of any law enforcement agency.

Perry police officers intervened, and the case was referred to the department’s Criminal Investigations Division.

Police say the incident did not pose a threat to the public and there is no ongoing threat. Everyone involved in the confrontation has been banned from the Georgia National Fairgrounds.

The release does not identify the organization or people involved. It also does not provide information about possible injuries, arrests or charges.

Police say no further information can be provided at this time.

The investigation remains active and ongoing.

If you have information, call Detective Lt. Kimberly Morton with the Perry Police Department at (478) 988-2800.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.