Virginia Teen Arrested on Child Sexual Exploitation and Grooming Charges in Candler County, Georgia
CANDLER COUNTY, Ga. — A 19-year-old Virginia man has been extradited to Georgia to face charges of child sexual exploitation, cruelty to children and grooming a minor for a sexual offense following an investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).
Brayden Heath, 19, of Centerville, Fairfax County, Virginia, faces four felony charges stemming from an investigation into the suspected online possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material.
The GBI announced the charges Monday, October 26, 2026.
Investigation Led Georgia Authorities to Virginia
According to the GBI, the investigation began in September 2026 when the Candler County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the agency’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes (CEACC) Unit.
Investigators were examining allegations involving the online possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material.
The investigation led authorities to an address in Centerville, Virginia, where Heath was identified as a suspect.
On Thursday, October 8, members of the Virginia State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force arrested Heath in Fairfax County.
Following his arrest, Heath was extradited to Georgia.
He was booked into the Candler County Jail on October 22, 2026.
Suspect Faces Four Felony Charges
According to the GBI, Heath faces the following charges:
- Two counts of sexual exploitation of children
- One count of first-degree cruelty to children
- One count of grooming a minor for a sexual offense
The Virginia State Police ICAC Task Force and the Candler County Sheriff’s Office assisted the GBI’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit with the investigation.
