26 Kids Rescued, 9 Arrests Made In Georgia Sweep: U.S. Marshals

ATLANTA, GA — The U.S. Marshals Service rescued 26 children, located 13 missing children and arrested nine people in Georgia on sex trafficking, parental kidnapping and sex offender charges. The two-week Operation Not Forgotten this month in Atlanta and Macon aimed to rescue endangered missing children.

Investigators said at a new conference that they cleared 26 arrest warrants and filed additional charges related to sex trafficking, parental kidnapping, registered sex offender violations, drugs and weapons possession, and custodial interference. Some of the nine people arrested were sought on multiple warrants.

“The message to missing children and their families is that we will never stop looking for you,” said Director of the Marshals Service Donald Washington.

These missing children were considered to be some of the most at-risk and challenging recovery cases in the area, based on indications of high-risk factors such as victimization of child sex trafficking, child exploitation, sexual abuse, physical abuse, and medical or mental health conditions, a news release said.

Other children were located at the request of law enforcement to ensure their wellbeing. Investigators confirmed each child’s location in person and assured their safety and welfare.

Those arrested during the operation are:

• Trayon Moore: Arrested in Dekalb County for sex trafficking and probation violation warrants.
• James Garcia: Arrested at a motel in Clearwater, Florida for aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy and incest with a minor warrants out of Whitfield County, Georgia.
• Faye Smith: Arrested at a motel in Clearwater, Florida on a warrant for probation violation.
• Sally Garcia: Arrested at a motel in Clearwater, Florida on a warrant for interference with child custody.
• Zachary Bailey: Arrested in Columbus, Georgia on warrants for human trafficking, enticing of a minor for indecent purposes, and enticement of a minor for solicitation.
• Stanson Causey: Arrested in Jasper, Georgia. He's a registered sex offender arrested for probation violation.
• Kirk Waters: Arrested in Newton County, Georgia for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
• Trevonte Shareef: Arrested in Newton County, Georgia for interference with custody and obstruction.
• Moradeyo Amos Bandele: Arrested in Port St. Lucie, Florida, on a warrant for rape out of Conyers, Georgia.

In 2019, the Marshals Service helped recover 295 missing children. Since its partnership with National Center for Missing and Exploited Children began in 2005, the agency has recovered more than 1,800 missing children.

“When we track down fugitives, it’s a good feeling to know that we're putting the bad guy behind bars. But that sense of accomplishment is nothing compared to finding a missing child," said Darby Kirby, chief of the Missing Child Unit. “It's hard to put into words what we feel when we rescue a missing child, but I can tell you that this operation has impacted every single one of us out here. We are working to protect them and get them the help they need.”