Written by: E. George
Published March 8, 2024 @ 8:30 PM ET
CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga. – Catoosa County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 51-year-old Ringgold man, James A. Myers, on February 19, 2024, for arranging to meet a juvenile female for sex. The arrest stemmed from a sting operation conducted by an Internet group called “Predator Poachers,” who pose as juveniles to ensnare sexual offenders and bring awareness to online crimes against children.
One of the group’s members explained that he possessed Facebook messages between Myers and an “11-year-old juvenile” that included Myers explicitly discussing having sex with and impregnating her. After Myers invited the “juvenile” to his home, the group notified authorities and met them at his doorstep.
With Myers standing close by, the caller told deputies that the suspect had admitted to trading child/infant pornography on an application called “Telegram.” Myers also admitted to watching and being a member of multiple “dark web” child pornography groups via his cellular phone and laptop.
The deputies handcuffed and transported Myers to the Catoosa County Jail, where he faces a charge of enticing a child for indecent purposes. This case is pending in court.
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.]
Deputy Lewis was dispatched to the incident location in reference to a possible child molestation. Upon arrival Deputy Lewis met with the four complainants who are apart of an Internet group called “Predator Poachers.” Their mission is to bring awareness to the on-line crimes against children where they pose as juveniles in effort to catch sexual offenders.
Deputy Lewis spoke with complainant [WITNESS #1] who stated he had Facebook messages between the offender and an 11 year old juvenile where the offender talks explicitly to the juvenile about having sex and impregnating her. The complainant stated the offender invited the juvenile to his listed address to have sex which is how they met this date at his doorstep.
Complainant [WITNESS #1] continued speaking openly with the offender in the presence of Deputy Lewis about their encounter where the offender admitted to trading child/infant pornography on an app called “Telegram”. The offender also admitted to the complainant that he watched and was apart of numerous child pornography groups on the “dark web.” He described these offenses were occurring on his laptop and cell phone.
Deputy Lewis contacted Detective Roden who arrived on scene and took over.
At approximately 2317 hours Deputy Lewis placed the offender under arrest. The handcuffs were checked for fit, and double locked. The offender was searched for contraband with none found. The offender was placed in the rear seat of the patrol car. The offender was transported to the Catoosa County Jail and turned over to jail staff. The rear seat was checked for contraband before and after the transport with nothing located.
[End of Narrative]