A man from Georgia, Walter Joey Drew, has been charged with federal offenses related to producing child sexual abuse material and exploiting children. The 41-year-old from Kite, Georgia, is facing 17 federal charges for activities in Toombs and Evans counties spanning from January 2021 to June 2023. Additionally, Drew is also confronting state charges for actions in Toombs and White counties. The federal indictment against him was revealed on Tuesday.
Law enforcement became aware of Drew’s actions when a mother and her 15-year-old daughter reported him to the White County Sheriff’s office in July 2023. The girl had stayed overnight at Drew’s residence in north Georgia due to her friendship with his daughter. During her shower, Drew allegedly filmed her, as reported by the White County Sheriff’s Department.
Following this report, the White County Sheriff’s office examined Drew’s phone and discovered images of women and children working out and tanning at his former gym, Legacy Performance Center, in Lyons, Georgia. Lyons is located approximately 65 miles west of Savannah and in the far southeast of White County.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office alleges that Drew produced or attempted to produce sexually explicit material involving at least eight underage victims in Toombs County at his gym and home. Additionally, in Evans County, the indictment states that Drew attempted to use the internet to coerce a minor into engaging in sexual activity with him.
Drew could face a sentence ranging from 10 years to life for attempting to coerce a minor into sexual activity and 15 to 30 years for producing or attempting to produce child sexual abuse material. A judge ordered him to remain in custody pending trial.
Ex-Gym Owner from Georgia Charged with Child Sexual Exploitation
