Bowersville Man Indicted on Human Trafficking and Child Sex Exploitation Charges in Fulton County
Attorney General Chris Carr announced the indictment of Reed Cohen Skelton, 26, of Bowersville, in Fulton County on charges of human trafficking and child sexual exploitation. The case involves a 16-year-old female who was initially contacted by Skelton through social media.
“Often in cases of human trafficking and child sexual exploitation, we hear from victims who were first approached by an offender through social media,” said Carr. “Those online discussions may go undetected until it’s too late, which is why we continue to talk with students and parents about the importance of internet safety. Protecting Georgia’s children is our top priority, and we will continue to ensure those who prey on our most vulnerable are held accountable for their actions.”
The investigation was conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s (GBI) Human Exploitation and Trafficking (HEAT) Unit, with assistance from the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit and multiple local law enforcement agencies.
“The GBI remains committed to aggressively investigating those who exploit and harm children,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey. “This case is a tragic reminder of how predators use social media to target vulnerable victims. We’re proud to work alongside our local and state partners to ensure offenders are identified, apprehended, and brought to justice. Protecting Georgia’s children will always be a top priority.”
According to the indictment, in November 2024, Skelton allegedly traveled to Fulton County to pick up the 16-year-old female after contacting her online. He then allegedly transported her to a hotel in Fulton County, rented a room, and engaged in sexual intercourse with the minor. Skelton is also accused of creating and possessing digital files of the encounter and subsequently paying the victim $500.
A Fulton County Grand Jury indicted Reed Cohen Skelton on April 3, 2025, on the following charges:
- 2 counts of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude
- 1 count of Sexual Exploitation of Children
Skelton was taken into custody by the GBI on March 11, 2025. No further details about the indictment or the ongoing investigation are being released at this time.
