A second-grade teacher at Lyerly Elementary School was recently arrested in a child sex sting conducted by Floyd County Police.
The sting, dubbed “Operation Safe Christmas” included the arrest of individuals from as far away as Conyers, Georgia. During that operation law enforcement officers posed as underage children engaging in on-line communication with suspects who then agreed to travel to Floyd County in the belief they were meeting with children for sexual purposes.
Among those arrested was 44 year old Jeremy Alan Bowman of Summerville.
School Superintendent Jared Hosmer confirmed to a Chattooga County media outlet, on Saturday, that Bowman was indeed a teacher at Lyerly Elementary school, adding the system was not aware of the charges against him – until they were released to the public in a news release on Saturday. Bowman was arrested on charges of sexual exploitation of children, obscene internet contact with a child and criminal attempt to commit aggravated child molestation; he was taken into custody Friday.
Others arrested in the sting included
Jimmy Wade Bowen, 46, who works as a general laborer, was arrested Wednesday and charged with two counts of felony sexually explicit conduct with a minor, obscene internet contact with minor, two counts of electronically furnishing obscene material to minors and criminal attempt to commit a felony.
Jeovani Tomes Ortega, age 31, of Tucker, who works in construction, was arrested Wednesday and charged with felony criminal attempt to commit a felony and obscene internet contact with a child.
Jeff Eugene White, age 27, of Conyers, who works in construction, was arrested Wednesday and is charged with two counts of sexual exploitation of children, obscene internet contact with a child and electronically furnishing obscene material to minors. White attempted to flee, striking a police car and is also charged with felony aggravated assault on a police officer, interference with government property, obstruction and several traffic related offenses including driving too fast for conditions and laying drag.
Norman Keith Eli Gentry, 31, was arrested late Thursday and charged with felony criminal attempt of aggravated child molestation as well as possession of marijuana, possession of drug related objects and obscene internet contact with a child.
And another Chattooga County man was also arrested late Friday. Adam Dewayne Broadrick, age 40, listed as unemployed of Trion, is charged with sexual exploitation of children, obscene internet contact with a child, criminal attempt to commit aggravated child molestation and willful obstruction of law enforcement officers.
All six men remained in the Floyd County Jail without bond on Saturday morning.
(WZQZ Chattooga County Radio)