A Habersham County woman is in jail charged with four counts of sexual exploitation of children.
45-year-old Kristina Townsend of Mt. Airy was arrested Friday, January 8, following an investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit.
The GBI CEACC Unit began an investigation into Townsend’s online activity after receiving a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Investigators later associated that single cybertip with other multiple cybertips, says GBI spokesperson Natalie Ammons.
“The information received was related to the upload of suspected child pornography by Townsend using popular email applications,” Ammons says.
Officers executed a search warrant at Townsend’s home. According to the GBI, they found evidence at her residence and on her electronic devices that led to her arrest. Townsend was taken into custody and booked into the Habersham County jail. As of Sunday evening January 10, she remained in jail. No bond has been set.
The Habersham County Sheriff’s Office assisted the GBI with its investigation and search. The Rabun County Sheriff’s Office also assisted with the probe.
The GBI says this investigation is part its ongoing effort to identify those involved in the child pornography trade. They’re asking for the public’s help. Anyone with information about this or other child exploitation cases is asked to contact the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Unit at 404-270-8870.
Tips may also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS(8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
