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Name:
CLINTON, BENJAMIN JAMES
Date of Booking:
08/19/2025
Reason(s) For Booking:
SEXUALLY EXPLICIT CONDUCT OF MINOR – FELONY
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On 8/19/25 at approximately 1700 hours, Cpl. Dylan Maxwell and I (Sgt. Kyle Jones) assisted the Department of Community Supervision with a probation search of Benjamin Clinton at [50 BLOCK] Melba Drive Carrollton, Ga 30116. Prior to this, DCS Officer [REDACTED] had requested members of the ACE Unit to go with her and her partner to conduct a check of Clinton and his effects due to him being on probation for several counts of Sexual Exploitation of Children and he recently failed a polygraph test about watching obscene material giving Ofc. [REDACTED] reasonable cause that he may be in possession of prohibited sexually explicit material.
Upon arrival at the residence, we made contact with Clinton at the door and Ofc. [REDACTED] explained why we were here. He allowed us inside and eventually provided Ofc. [REDACTED] with his cellphone. DCS then began conducting their search while Cpl. Maxwell and I stood by with Clinton. During the search, Ofc. [REDACTED] told me that she had found images of a young girl in the photo section of his phone. However, the young girl was clothed. She then found recent website history on the web browser from this date, in which Clinton had been on “xafoo.com”. That website was pulled up on Clinton’s phone in which it depicted images of females and their vag*na’s, breast, and involved in oral sex with a male.
These females appeared not fully developed, and of an age that a reasonable person would conclude to be under 18 years old. Ofc. [REDACTED] showed me what she had found, and I agreed that the images of these females were sexually explicit and they appeared to be well under the age of 18. At that time I recovered the cellphone (a blue in color Samsung smartphone), as well as an Apple Macbook Pro which Clinton stated was his from his office for further examination and investigation by qualified digital forensic examiners.
While I had been waiting with Clinton just prior to this, he was extremely nervous and worried about what DCS was doing. Based on my training and experience from the last almost 11 years of law enforcement, I believed that Clinton was trying to hide something or concerned of what would be found during the search.
After conferring with Ofc. [REDACTED] and other investigators, I placed Clinton under arrest for Sexual Exploitation of Children for having knowingly and unlawfully possessed or controlled a material which depicted a minor or a portion of a minor’s body engaged in sexually explicit conduct. He was handcuffed, checked for fit, and double-locked. I then walked him outside and explained what he was being charged with. I then explained to him his Miranda Rights, at which time Clinton stated he wanted to speak with his attorney. He was then placed in the rear of Cpl. Maxwell’s patrol car and transported to the Carroll County Jail for booking.
I then returned to the Carrollton Police Department and placed the phone and computer in evidence. An arrest warrant was completed and is waiting to be signed by a judge for this charge. I will be completing a search warrant for these devices for further evidence of sexually explicit material.
[End of Narrative]
The information below reflects all details available at the time of publication and was obtained directly from the official court database accessible to the public. Court records are subject to change at any time at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors, omissions, or discrepancies within the docket. No information provided should be construed as legal advice or opinion. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Case History:
08/22/25
ARREST WARRANT FILED
What this means: An arrest warrant was filed for Benjamin Clinton in Carroll County Superior Court case SUCR2026000280. Clinton is accused of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor, which is a felony charge. The warrant authorized law enforcement to arrest Clinton.
09/19/25
RULE NISI ISSUED FOR BOND HEARING
What this means: The Carroll County Magistrate Court issued a rule nisi (formal notice) setting a court date for October 7, 2025, at 9:00 AM to hear Benjamin Clinton’s motion for bond. Judge Blackmon signed the order, and it was served on Clinton’s attorney Bryan R. Howard from the Howard Law Group. A rule nisi is a court order that will become final unless the opposing party shows cause why it should not.
10/07/25
ENTRY OF APPEARANCE FILED BY DEFENSE ATTORNEY
What this means: Bryan R. Howard from the Howard Law Group, PC filed an official entry of appearance as Benjamin Clinton’s defense attorney in Carroll County Superior Court case. This formally notifies the court that Howard will be representing Clinton in this criminal case involving charges of sexual exploitation of children.
10/07/25
BOND HEARING HELD
What this means: A criminal non-jury calendar hearing was held at 9:00 AM in Carroll County Superior Court to consider Benjamin Clinton’s motion for bond. The court heard arguments about whether Clinton should be released from jail pending trial.
10/07/25
BOND DENIED BY COURT
What this means: The Carroll County Superior Court judge denied Benjamin Clinton’s request for bond, which involves charges of possessing material depicting a minor. The court found there was a threat to commit felonies based on the risk to flee. Clinton will remain in jail without bond while his case proceeds through the court system.
12/26/25
ATTORNEY LEAVE OF ABSENCE FILED
What this means: Bryan R. Howard, Benjamin Clinton’s defense attorney, filed a formal notice of leave of absence with the Carroll County Superior Court. The filing lists periods throughout 2026 when Howard will be unavailable for family vacation, personal time, and continuing legal education. This could potentially affect the scheduling of court proceedings in Clinton’s case.
03/09/26
INDICTMENT RETURNED BY GRAND JURY
What this means: A Carroll County grand jury returned a formal indictment against Benjamin James Clinton in case 26CR280. The indictment charges Clinton with 10 felony counts of sexual exploitation of children under O.C.G.A. 16-12-100(b)(8). The indictment was signed by Grand Jury Foreperson and prosecutor Kyle Jones/DD. This moves Clinton’s case from the magistrate court level to superior court for felony prosecution.
07/06/26
ARRAIGNMENT HEARING SCHEDULED
What this means: Benjamin Clinton’s arraignment hearing has been scheduled for 9:00 AM on July 6, 2026. At an arraignment, Clinton will be formally read the charges from his indictment and asked to enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or nolo contendere. This is typically one of the first hearings after an indictment is returned.
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