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Georgia News

Former Georgia youth pastor charged with child exploitation

The incidents allegedly involved 2 children and 1 adult

What to do when you're stopped by police
By Stephanie Toone
Updated Aug 27, 2020

Authorities have charged a former Georgia youth pastor who is accused of sexually exploiting two children in Houston County.

Shawn Waddell, 29, was arrested earlier in August and charged with several counts of sexual exploitation of children, eavesdropping and surveillance of communication, according to news station WMAZ. Houston County Sheriff’s Lt. Darin Meadows told the news station the alleged incidents happened over a year, from 2019 to 2020. The incidents reportedly involve three victims: two girls and one woman.

Waddell was working full time in construction and part time as a youth pastor when the incidents allegedly occurred. Jail records show Waddell has been bonded out of jail.

Anyone with additional information can call the Houston County Sheriff's Office at 478-542-2125.

Child sex crimes can also be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s (NCMEC) website or by calling 1-800-843-5678.

About the Author

Stephanie has been telling stories her whole life. Her interest in the written word started with short stories and journal entries about run-ins with classroom bullies as a child and matured to writing for her high school newspaper over the years. She has written and edited for The Tennessean, Augusta Chronicle and American City & County.

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