Body of Wanted Man Found in Trenton Pond, GBI Investigating

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is investigating the death of 46-year-old John Richard Sweatt after his body was found floating in a pond in Dade County on Thursday afternoon.

At approximately 2:40 p.m. on July 3, 2025, Dade County 911 received a report of a body in a pond near the dam in the 2000 block of New Home Road. The original call described a possible mannequin floating in the pond, but when deputies arrived, they confirmed it was a deceased male. Deputies from the Dade County Sheriff’s Office, along with New Home and Dade County Fire and Rescue personnel, responded and recovered the body.

Sweatt was identified by his tattoos, a driver’s license found in his pocket, and later confirmed by family members.

According to the Dade County Sheriff’s Office, Sweatt had been pursued for the past two weeks in regards to multiple felony warrants. Active felony warrants included a Bench Warrant for Failure to Appear, and Cruelty to Animals. The original charges on the bench warrant are for Aggravated Sexual Battery, Aggravated Child Molestation, 3 counts of Child Molestation, and 2 counts of Cruelty to Children.

The body has been transported to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy. The investigation is ongoing.