Online Sting Nets Prison Sentences for Three Men Attempting to Meet Minors for Sex in North Georgia
The Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office has successfully prosecuted three men caught in an online sting operation attempting to arrange illegal sexual encounters with individuals they believed to be underage. In each case, the men were communicating with law enforcement officers posing as minors.
District Attorney Clayton M. Fuller issued a stern warning to potential predators, stating, “This is a message to every predator out there: If you come into our Circuit looking to harm a child, you’re not walking away with a slap on the wrist-you’re going to prison.” He further commended the law enforcement agencies involved, adding, “I’d like to thank our law enforcement partners for working some incredible cases and the community should thank Sheriff Mark Schrader and his team.”
Fuller emphasized the commitment to protecting children, saying, “We don’t take kindly to those who target our children. If you prey on our kids, the only person you will actually meet up with will be waiting for you in Cell Block 1.”
Details of the Cases:
State v. Micah Van Donaldson: 41-year-old Micah Van Donaldson attempted to engage in sexual communication with a fictitious 14-year-old girl named Ally Brown. Donaldson solicited explicit images and discussed sexual acts with the undercover officer before arranging a meeting at a gas station, where he was arrested. Donaldson was sentenced to 20 years, with 6 years to be served in the Department of Corrections, and will be subject to sex offender probation conditions. District Attorney Clayton M. Fuller prosecuted the case, with the investigation led by the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Mark Schrader, the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office, and federal agency support.
State v. Hugh Taff: 67-year-old Hugh Taff engaged in online communication with an undercover agent posing as a 14-year-old girl named Skye Duncan. Over several days, Taff made comments about the sexual habits of underage teenagers and complimented the fictitious minor’s body. Despite being reminded of the child’s age, Taff persisted in arranging a meeting. Agents and deputies from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office and the Summerville Police Department apprehended Taff upon his arrival at the pre-arranged location. Taff pleaded guilty to Obscene Internet Contact with a Child and received a 10-year sentence, with the first 3 years to be served in the Department of Corrections, followed by sex offender probation conditions. Assistant District Attorney Winston Franklin prosecuted the case, with the investigation led by the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office, and federal agency support.
State v. Bobby Brock: On October 12, 2023, Bobby Brock began communicating with an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a 14-year-old girl named Carley White via Facebook Messenger. Brock complimented the fictitious minor’s appearance and initiated sexual conversations. He arranged to meet “Carley” at the Hi-Tech gas station in Summerville for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity. Upon arrival, Brock was met by officers from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office. Brock was also found to be in possession of methamphetamine. Brock pleaded guilty to Computer Pornography and Possession of Methamphetamine. He was sentenced to twenty years, with the first two years to be served in confinement with the Georgia Department of Corrections, followed by a period of confinement in the Regional Substance Abuse Treatment Center. Upon release, Brock will be required to comply with sex offender probation conditions and register as a sexual offender. Chief Assistant District Attorney Deanna Reisman prosecuted the case, with the investigation led by the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office, and federal agency support.
The Floyd County Police Department also provided assistance in these investigations, and the District Attorney’s Office expressed their gratitude for their contribution.
