Tifton Men Charged with Sex Exploitation of Children

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Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025

Tifton, Georgia

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TWO TIFTON MEN CHARGED WITH SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Two Tifton men are among 17 arrested on charges of sexual exploitation of children and other related offenses as a result of a statewide investigation.

Dennis Farmer, 65, and Timothy Grimsley, 36, both of Tifton, are in the Tift County Jail.

Farmer is charged with creating or possessing with the intent to sell visual medium depicting a minor in sexually explicit conduct, a felony.

Grimsley is charged with possessing or control of material depicting a minor in sexually explicit conduct, also a felony.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) led the statewide child exploitation operation. Dubbed “Operation Byte Down,” the GBI's Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit partnered with 33 other agencies, including the Tifton Police Department, that are members of the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Operation Byte Down identified 13 children that were living in households where online child sexual exploitation was occurring; one of the suspected arrested admitted to current or prior hands-on sexual offenses against a child, the GBI said.

In addition to the two Tifton men, others arrested are:

Kong Hon Yim, 63, of Duluth
Ezequiel Ortiz, 30, of Duluth
Jianglin Meng, 26, of Norcross
Morgan Albright, 18, of Winder
Steven Michael Yanizeski, 28, of Evans
Chaunansheng Fu, 28, of Doraville
Steven Ray Mendenhall, 53, of Macon
Elvis Beltran Pineda, 25, of Alpharetta
Richard Jason Lowery, 43, of Augusta
Patrick Dulebohn, 43, of Savannah
Christian Havanki, 29, of Pooler
Thomas Walker, 37, of Helen
Derrick Long, 25, of Kingsland
Jonathan Sells, 39, of Cleveland
Todd Shelton, 61, of Acworth

Operation Byte Down was a statewide, multi-jurisdictional coordinated effort by the Georgia ICAC Task Force to identify and arrest those involved in technology-facilitated crimes against children. Operation Byte Down involved months of planning and included both proactive and reactive cases investigated by the GBI and affiliate agencies with the Georgia ICAC Task Force.

The investigation included peer-to-peer network users sharing child pornography materials and undercover chat investigations targeting those who communicate with and arrange to meet who they believe to be a child for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts, the GBI said.

During Operation Byte Down, law enforcement agencies executed 30 residential search warrants across the state, resulting in the arrests. Digital forensic investigators previewed 137 electronic devices and seized 361 electronic devices, including cellular phones, tablets, computers, hard drives, and various electronic data storage devices.

TIFTON MAN FACES CHARGES OF MURDER, ASSAULT

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

A Tifton man has been charged in the death of one woman and the aggravated assault of another on Feb. 5 in a Tifton residence, Tifton Police said.

Emmanuel Matt Uzowihe, 37, of Tifton, is charged with one count of felony murder, three counts of aggravated assault, one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a knife during the commission of a crime, and criminal attempt to commit rape, police said.

Uzowihe remains in medical observation at the Tift County Jail, and his mug shot has not yet been taken, a spokesman at the Tift County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday.

Tifton Police said a female had flagged down an officer at about 7:57 a.m. Feb. 5 regarding "a disturbance that had just occurred" at 307 West 11th St. Once at the residence, Tifton Police officers discovered two females suffering from multiple wounds.

Bobby Rene Williams, 77, of Tifton, died of multiple wounds, police said. The other female was life-flighted to another hospital after being taken to Tift Regional Medical Center and remains in critical condition with multiple wounds.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Sydney Greene at the Tifton Police Department, 229-382-3132.

FEMA OK's $615M IN GA DISASTER AID

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

In the months since last year's storms, FEMA has approved more than $614.7 million in federal disaster assistance to help homeowners, renters, and communities recover from Tropical Storm Debby and Hurricane Helene, the agency says.

The aid includes $308.6 million approved for individuals and households, and $306.1 million approved for community recovery.

Under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s individual assistance program, homeowners and renters affected by the storms have received assistance for housing if they couldn’t live in their primary residence, as well as for basic home repairs, personal property losses, and other uninsured disaster-caused expenses.

Under the public assistance program, FEMA provides funding for communities that need help to cover their costs for debris removal, life-saving emergency protective measures, and restoring public infrastructure.

These numbers will increase as FEMA continues to process the nearly 400,000 applications it has received for individual assistance and the more than 1,900 projects submitted for public assistance.

Although the deadline for submitting applications has passed, FEMA said it is committed to remaining in Georgia to ensure that everyone eligible for assistance receives it.

Southwell receives the Champions of Hope Award, the highest honor from Ruth's Cottage & The Patticake House. From left are Krystin Matthews, a former emergency department nurse who now works in Southwell's quality care department; Tonia Garrett, Southwell's vice president of patient care/chief nursing officer; Dr. Kaylar Howard of The Howard Center, last year's recipient who is presenting this year's award; and Sarah Cook, board president of Ruth's Cottage & The Patticake House.

RUTH'S COTTAGE RECOGNIZES TOP SUPPORTERS OF YEAR

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Ruth's Cottage and the Patticake House (RCPCH) presented its annual awards last week recognizing some of the outstanding individuals and organizations who support the nonprofit's mission.

RCPCH combats domestic and sexual violence, as well as child sexual and physical abuse, and operates a shelter and child advocacy center.

The nonprofit's highest honor, the Champions of Hope Award, recognizes an exceptional supporter. This year's award went to Southwell, which RCPCH said not only has been a top financial supporter but aids the organization in numerous ways, including the medical system's staff members volunteering in various projects.

Among other awards presented:

J. Harvey Davis Award: Lt. Chris Luckey of the Tifton Police Department. The award is presented to an individual who has provided significant support for the Domestic Violence Prevention Program.

Above and Beyond Award: Investigator Paul Klein with the Worth County Sheriff's Office, presented for going above and beyond in supporting victims of child abuse.

Third Door Award: Lt. Jacob Horsley of the Irwin County Sheriff's Office, for his leadership in establishing and maintaining a Sexual Assault Response Team and sexual assault protocol for the Tifton Judicial Circuit.

Latino Outreach Program Award: Chief Superior Court Judge Bill Reinhardt of the Tifton Judicial Circuit for supporting a best-practices training session for working with the local immigrant community.

Betty Ryfun Volunteer of the Year Award: Ben Rehberg of Tifton Techworks. The award, named in memory of a woman who devoted many hours to support RCPCH staff, is presented to a volunteer who fits the description of "Being a Betty."

CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION OPEN FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Congressman Austin Scott's office is accepting submissions for the 2025 Congressional Art Competition.

Scott, R-Tifton, said that all high school students in ninth through 12th grades who reside in or attend school in the Eighth Congressional District may participate.

The winning entry will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for a year alongside artwork from every congressional district across the country.

Artwork submitted must be original in concept, design, and execution, no larger than 26x26x4 inches, and can be in the form of paintings (oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.), drawings (pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, markers), collage (must be two dimensional), prints (lithographs, silkscreen, block prints), mixed media, computer-generated art, or photography.

All artwork must be framed when submitted. Artwork that is submitted on a canvas does not require framing; however, it must have hooks affixed for hanging.

This year, all entries from across the district will be displayed at the Syd Blackmarr Art Center in Tifton for an exhibit and awards ceremony May 4.

All artwork must be framed and submitted by April 18 at Scott’s District Office in Tifton, 127-B Central Ave N.; or at his Warner Robins District Office, 120 Byrd Way, Suite 100, Warner Robins.

For information about the Congressional Art Competition, visit here.

Retiring board members of South Georgia Banking Co. are, from left, Dr. Joe Turner, Grady Thompson Jr., and Jones Ponder.

LONG-SERVING SGBC

BOARD MEMBERS RETIRE

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

South Georgia Banking Co. (SGBC) recently announced the retirement of three long-serving members of their Board of Directors: Jones Ponder, Dr. Joe Turner, and Grady M. Thompson Jr.

Ponder, a founding organizer and board member since 1970, served in various roles and on multiple committees. SGBC said he offered invaluable counsel and was dedicated to enhancing Tift County and the South Georgia community, especially through his work with agricultural and educational organizations.

Turner joined the board in 1976 and made significant contributions to the Tift County community, particularly in the medical field as well as through his involvement with religious and civic organizations. His commitment to improving the lives of others was a guiding force for the bank, SGBC said.

Thompson has been a board member since 1990, and was dedicated to strengthening Tift County and other communities, reflected in his extensive involvement in local, county, and state organizations.

SGBC said the three board members played an essential role in the bank’s growth, helping increase assets to $600 million, expand to nine banking centers, and maintain shareholder dividends.

To honor their contributions, the bank is making a $5,000 donation to a cause significant to each individual: $5,000 to Omega Elementary School in honor of Ponder, $5,000 to the Tifton Council for the Arts to support the Bette Turner Arts Annex of the Syd Blackmarr Arts Center in honor of Turner, and $5,000 to create a Soil and Water Conservation Scholarship Fund in honor of Thompson.

“All three of these men have given many years in service to our organization, and we could not be more grateful for their invaluable leadership during that time,” said Glenn P. Willis, SGBC's CEO.

ABAC Police Department members, along with ABAC President Tracy Brundage, Police Chief Frank Strickland, and Vice President of Finance and Operations Deidra Jackson, accept the certification from Ed Densmore, state certification coordinator for the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police.

ABAC POLICE DEPARTMENT ACHIEVES STATE CERTIFICATION

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College's Police Department recently earned state certification from the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police.

“I am extremely proud of our team for working together over the last three years to complete and achieve agency state certification status for the ABAC Police Department,” said ABAC Police Chief Frank Strickland.

”This certification is a testament to the dedication and hard work that our police department demonstrates every day,” said ABAC President Tracy Brundage. “Chief Strickland and his staff take a great deal of pride in everything that they do, and we, as a campus, greatly appreciate their efforts.”

Certification not only requires a thorough review of current policies and practices but ensures the application of state law-enforcement standards.

TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTING

Tiftarea Dental Associates

802 N. Central Ave., Tifton

Feb. 7

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

"Mio" is a sweet, affectionate boy who loves cuddles and has the softest purr. He’s tested positive for FeLV, so he needs a home as an only cat or with other FeLV+ kitties. But don’t worry: FeLV+ cats can live happy lives with love and care! Visit Mio and see other pets available for adoption between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the Tift County Animal Shelter on Highway 125 South, or call 229-382-PETS (7387).

MAKING A 'CLEAN SWEEP' IN TIFTON

~ FEB. 11, 1916

The Tifton Broom Co. was in full operation by Feb. 11, 1916, selling Tifton-made brooms to both wholesale and retail establishments. The factory was located on the Atlantic Coastline Railway right-of-way on First Street in Tifton. The broom bristles were made from "broom corn" grown locally by E.A. Doss, S.F. Overstreet, H.H. Tift Jr., and J.A. Eason.