Former Georgia sheriff's deputy sentenced for producing child porn

ATLANTA — A former White County, Ga., sheriff's deputy who created pornographic images of a 7-year-old girl was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison Tuesday, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Christopher Thomas Davis, 34, of Dahlonega, Ga., pleaded guilty to producing child pornography Sept. 17.

"The defendant violated the trust of a young girl and his community," said United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates. "That the defendant committed this offense while serving as a law enforcement officer makes this crime that much more atrocious."

"As egregious as this crime is, it's even more disappointing considering an officer sworn to uphold the law and protect the innocent has engaged in this despicable behavior," said Brock D. Nicholson, special agent in charge of HSI Atlanta. "We are witness to an epidemic of the sexual exploitation of children across all sectors of our society. It is imperative that we take every step possible to stop this horrific abuse and ensure these predators will never again have access to a child."

Davis was sentenced to 15 years in prison, to be followed by 15 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Upon release from prison, he will be required to register as a sex offender.

According to information contained in public documents: Between May 18, 2009, and June 25, 2009, Davis took photographs of a 7-year-old female engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The photographs were taken inside Davis' home in Dahlonega, Ga. At that time, and at the time of his arrest, Davis was employed as a sheriff's deputy with the White County Sheriff's Office. On August 25, 2011, special agents executed a search warrant at Davis' home where they found additional images of child pornography.

This investigation was part of Operation Predator, a nationwide HSI initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex offenders and child sex traffickers. HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators.

Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).

HSI is a founding member and the U.S. representative of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.