A report first filed as a peeping Tom incident grew into a broader investigation that resulted in a Cleveland man’s arrest on pornography and child exploitation charges.
On July 14, the White County Sheriff’s Office received a report from a 15-year-old girl who said she believed she was video recorded while showering at a friend’s house. According to the incident report, the girl said she was exiting the shower when she saw a phone through the bathroom window.
As a result of the complaint, investigators executed a search warrant at the residence of Walter Joey Drew. They collected several items of evidence, including a cell phone, says White County Sheriff’s Capt. Clay Hammond.
While searching the device, Hammond says investigators found evidence that led them to believe Drew had taken nude images of unsuspecting females. Detectives determined the images appeared to have been taken in Lyons, Georgia, and not at a gym Drew owns in Cleveland. They provided the evidence to the Lyons Police Department.
As a result of the report filed in White County, authorities arrested Drew on August 4. They charged him with violating the Computer Pornography and Child Exploitation Prevention Act and unlawful eavesdropping or surveillance.
At the time of his arrest, Drew was out of jail on bond on other charges, including aggravated assault, terroristic threats and acts, and stalking.
As of Tuesday, August 15, the 40-year-old Drew remained in the White County Detention Center on a $17,500 bond.
Hammond says the investigation is ongoing, and additional charges are possible.
