Authorities in Athens have taken decisive action following a report of alleged online child exploitation. As per the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, Timothy Lee Randles has been charged with the sexual exploitation of children, following an intense investigation led by the department’s Special Victims Unit.
The investigation into Randles, 39, commenced in March 2026 when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children issued a Cyber Tipline Report. This report highlighted possible involvement in the online distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material, prompting the arrest of Randles. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) played crucial roles in assisting the inquiry.
The Athens-Clarke County Police Department announced the arrest on April 16, 2026, as part of a broader initiative to combat child exploitation online. The Special Victims Unit is actively engaged in the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, a program designed by the U.S. Department of Justice to address the rising tide of online child sexual abuse material and predatory activities.
This ongoing investigation seeks further information from the public. Detective Dara Shapland is available at 762-400-7198 or via email at Dara.Shapland@accgov.com for those who may have relevant details.
Moreover, individuals with knowledge of other child exploitation incidents are urged to contact the GBI CEACC Unit at 404-270-8870. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s CyberTipline at Cybertipline.org, by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or via the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
