Cartersville Man Charged With Sexual Exploitation of Children

CARTERSVILLE, GA -- Another Bartow County resident has been arrested on charges he was allegedly in possession of child pornography.

Robert Lee Dean, 43, of Cartersville was arrested Wednesday evening by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation on one count of sexual exploitation of children-possession of child pornography.

Dean's arrest followed a joint investigation by the GBI's Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit, the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations and the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office.

It also comes on the heels of the Bartow sheriff's office arresting 24-year-old Ryan Jay Erikson of Acworth and charging him with 50 counts of sexual exploitation of children.

The investigation initiated by the Georgia ICAC Task Force targets those who "possess and distribute illegal child abuse images," the agency added.

A search warrant was executed at Dean’s residence where numerous electronic devices were seized.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is the host agency for the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children’s (ICAC) Task Force. The Bartow County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations and the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office are active member of the Task Force and these agencies routinely work together in matters of child exploitation.

"This case is a great example of cooperation between law enforcement agencies in order to identify and hold accountable those that exploit children," the GBI added.

The GBI Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit will conduct forensic analysis of the electronic devices belonging to Dean and more charges are possible.

Dean remains held without bond at the Bartow County Jail.

Image via Bartow County Jail