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Written by: E. George
Published February 5, 2024 @ 9:30 PM ET
Warning: The following story contains information regarding sexual content concerning children.
GORDON COUNTY, Ga. – Gordon County Sheriff’s deputies booked a 36-year-old man after conducting an undercover sting targeting adults searching for sex with children. On Monday, January 8, 2024, a detective used the chat platform CHATIB and began conversing with username ANDREW0009.
The detective created an “undercover persona” named Sarah, who lived in Calhoun and participated in homeschooling. When he told the suspect, Andrew James Papest, that “she” was 14 years old, Papest replied, “That is fine.”
Soon, Papest requested a photograph, and the detective transferred the conversation to WhatsApp, which revealed the suspect’s telephone number. Using the analytical tool HAWK, the detective determined that Papest resided at Fort Moore.
During the chat conversation, Papest “sent a photograph of his erect penis, outside of clothing” and “began to talk about having sex with [“Sarah”].” When the detective told him that “she” was “a 14-year-old virgin,” Papest said it was “okay” and he “would teach” her.
When asked about his career, Papest said he was “an electrician and also in the U.S. Army Reserves.” As the conversation continued, Papest sent “a photo of his erect, exposed penis” and talked about “teaching” her “how to have sexual intercourse.”
The detective contacted the Fort Moore Army Installation Criminal Investigation Division and learned that Papest was “currently on active duty with the U.S. Army” and “stationed at Fort Moore.” He verified his identity with a photograph and his telephone number.
The Army CID arrested Papest on January 16 and charged him with solicitation of sodomy with a person under 18 years old, six counts of felony computer or electronic pornography, and seven counts 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.]
On Monday, January 08, 2024, Detective D.J. PAYNE began an undercover chat investigation using the chat platform “CHATIB” with the undercover persona of “SARAH, a 14 Y.O.A. female who lives in Calhoun, Georgia, and is homeschooled.”. During the chat, Detective PAYNE began speaking with the username “ANDREW0009”. Detective PAYNE stated to “ANDREW0009” that he is 14 Y.O.A., and “ANDREW0009” said that is fine. After a short time, “ANDREW0009” asked for a picture of Detective PAYNE. Detective PAYNE moved the conversation to an application called “WhatsApp.” When the conversation was transferred, ANDREW provided his telephone number as [REDACTED] and a username for ANDREW. Detective PAYNE searched for “HAWK,” an analytical tool, for the telephone number provided, and it returned as Mr. ANDREW PAPEST of Ft. Moore, Georgia.
Detective PAYNE continued to chat with ANDREW, and during the chat, ANDREW sent a photograph of his erect p*nis, outside of clothing, to Detective Payne. ANDREW then began to talk about having sex with Detective PAYNE, and he was made aware that Detective PAYNE was a 14-year-old virgin. He stated that it was okay and that he would teach Detective PAYNE.
ANDREW was then asked what he did for a living, and he stated he is an electrician and also in the U.S. Army Reserves. As the conversation continued, ANDREW and Detective PAYNE traded photographs of each other. While pictures were being exchanged, ANDREW sent Detective PAYNE a photo of his erect, exposed p*nis. During the chat, there was also talk of ANDREW teaching Detective PAYNE how to have sexual intercourse.
Detective PAYNE then contacted the Ft. Moore Army Installation C.I.D. unit and spoke with Special Agent AUSTIN BRADFIELD. BRADFIELD stated that ANDREW is currently on active duty with the U.S. Army and is stationed at Ft. Moore, Georgia. Bradfield provided Detective PAYNE with a photograph of ANDREW, and Detective PAYNE was able to verify that ANDREW was the person he had been chatting with. Detective PAYNE also confirmed the telephone number on WhatsApp, [REDACTED], the same one listed in his record with the Army. Detective PAYNE then provided the contact information for DAN ARNOLD, the case agent for U.S. Army CID. Detective PAYNE then contacted ARNOLD and provided him with a copy of the case file.
On Tuesday January 16, 2024, ANDREW was placed under arrest by the Army CID
[End of Narrative]
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