Full Notification

For Immediate Release

Paulding County Sheriff’s Office
Arrests Made for Illicit Sexual Activities in Local Park

(Paulding County, GA) The Paulding County Sheriff’s Office has made several arrests in recent weeks involving individuals looking for sexual encounters with strangers at Mt. Tabor Park in Paulding County. Deputies received information about the illegal activities and immediately launched an investigation.

This investigation has been ongoing since April 2010. Deputies have arrested five individuals to date. According to deputies, several arrests were avoided by individuals that had come to the park but left after witnessing an arrest being made. There were also other encounters between deputies and suspects during the investigations that did not reach the level of an arrest. Each case remains active and/or pending prosecution.

“This type of stranger on stranger sexual contact will not be tolerated in our public parks where family and children gather,” said Paulding County Sheriff Gary Gulledge. “This type of activity is likely to draw the interest of sexual predators and other criminals that would like nothing more than to destroy the quality of life and family atmosphere that we now have in our parks.” Sheriff Gulledge added that deputies will continue to monitor activity in county parks and work undercover operations in order to prevent individuals from visiting parks in Paulding County while looking for sexual encounters with strangers.

“The Paulding County Parks and Recreation Department will continue to provide quality programs and activities for all residents,” said Park and Recreation Director Michael Justus. “We are working closely with the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office to implement plans and procedures that will keep our parks safe for everyone to enjoy.”
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