Georgia Middle School Teacher Arrested on Child Exploitation, Grooming Charges
BACONTON, Ga. — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has arrested a Mitchell County middle school teacher on multiple charges tied to an Internet Crimes Against Children investigation.
According to the GBI, 34-year-old Willie James Silas of Baconton was charged with:
- Sexual Exploitation of Children
- Grooming of a Minor for Sexual Offense
- Child Molestation
Authorities said Silas is employed as a teacher at Mitchell County Middle School.
Investigators said the case began in April 2026 when the GBI’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit received a request for assistance from the New Castle County Police Department in Delaware involving an Internet Crimes Against Children investigation.
According to investigators, the original investigation started after authorities in Delaware received information involving a child victim.
The investigation eventually led agents to Georgia and resulted in Silas being located and arrested in St. Augustine.
Silas was arrested May 5, 2026, and initially booked into the St. Johns County Jail before later being extradited to Georgia and booked into the Mitchell County Jail.
The investigation involved assistance from:
- St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office (Florida)
- Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office
- Camilla Police Department
The case remains under investigation.
