New details have emerged in the recent arrest of a Baldwin man accused of possessing child pornography.
According to information released May 5 by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Steven Kyle Caudell, 34, of Banks County, was arrested on nine counts of sexual exploitation of children after an investigation by the Bureau’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes (CEACC) Unit.
The investigation began after CEACC received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about Caudell’s internet activity. The tip alleged he possessed child sexual abuse material, says GBI Public Affairs Director Nelly Miles.
“During the investigation, GBI agents seized an electronic device belonging to Caudell. The device was later forensically processed by GBI digital forensic investigators, which revealed Caudell possessed child sexual abuse material,” says Miles.
Caudell was initially charged in Stephens County on April 30, but the venue for the charges was determined to be in Habersham, adds Miles.
On May 2, the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office arrested Caudell on the same charges on warrants taken out by the GBI. In those warrants, Caudell is accused of possessing pornographic photos and videos of children. The allegations date back to January 21, 2022.
Caudell’s bond in Habersham was originally set at $75,150. Online jail records show he was released from jail on May 4 on a $40,000 bond.
According to Miles, the Caudell investigation is part of an ongoing effort by the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force to identify those involved in the child pornography trade.
Anyone with information about this or other cases of child exploitation 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.
