Muscogee County Man Charged With Child Sexual Exploitation Offenses Following Search Warrant

COLUMBUS, Ga. — A Muscogee County man was arrested on multiple child sexual exploitation charges after investigators executed a search warrant related to child sexual abuse material, according to the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Greg Countryman announced that members of the Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit and the MCSO Collaborative Intelligence Group carried out the operation on June 8, 2026.

As a result of the investigation, authorities arrested John Paul Van Etten and charged him with five counts of Sexual Exploitation of Children.

Investigators have not released additional details regarding the evidence recovered during the search warrant or the circumstances that led to the investigation.

“We have said it before and we will say it again, the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office will not tolerate crimes of this nature against our children. Not on our watch,” Sheriff Countryman said in a statement. “The MCSO remains committed to ensuring a safer Muscogee County for all citizens.”

According to the sheriff’s office, Van Etten was booked into custody on June 8.

Court records indicate he posted bond and was released from jail on June 9, pending further court proceedings.