Former Athens-Clarke County Police Officer Indicted on Child Exploitation and Bestiality
Gainesville, Georgia – Former Athens-Clarke County Police Officer Amber Nicole Ferguson, 34, of Commerce, Georgia, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to the production and possession of child sexual abuse material. Ferguson had been arrested in January, 2025.
The indictment, issued on December 2, 2025, charges Ferguson with:
- Production and attempted production of child sexual abuse material
- Possession of child sexual abuse material involving a minor under the age of 12
- Production of obscene material
According to U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg, the investigation began when a family member of two minors reported suspicions to the Commerce Police Department. The subsequent investigation led to the discovery of child sexual abuse material on Ferguson’s phone. As the case proceeded, images allegedly possessed and produced by Ferguson involving horse and dog bestiality were also discovered.
Ferguson was arraigned on December 4, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Anna W. Howard.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg stated that his office “will aggressively prosecute anyone who commits such crimes,” noting that sexual predators who prey upon children or sexually abuse animals face significant prison time if convicted.
Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama Steven N. Schrank called the alleged actions “a profound betrayal of the trust and responsibility placed in law enforcement officers.”
If convicted of production or attempted production of child sex abuse material, Ferguson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of at least 15 years in prison.
The case is being investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Commerce Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Keen is prosecuting the case.
