Fulton County Man Charged With Child Sex Crimes

ATLANTA, GA — A Fulton County man is facing child sexual exploitation charges after being accused of distributing online sexual abuse material.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Thursday Zion Gilliard, 26, was charged on suspicion of three counts of distribution of child pornography and two counts of possession of child pornography.

Gilliard was arrested Monday in Clayton County by the GBI's Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit, authorities said.

The crime unit began investigating Gilliard in June after receiving an online tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding the possible online possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material, the GBI said in a news release.

Digital forensic investigators and GBI agents searched Gilliard's Fulton County home for computers, cell phones and other devices, authorities said. The GBI did not provide further details.

Gilliard was taken to the Clayton County Jail, the GBI said.

His arrest is part of an ongoing investigation by the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Anyone with information relating to cases of child exploitation can call the GBI, (404) 270-8870.