Augusta, GA

Online sting for child predators nets 3 local residents

Published

2 years ago

March 18, 2024

Online sting for child predators nets 3 local residents

GROVETOWN, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Three local residents were arrested in an online sting operation to catch sex predators.

The arrests stemmed from “Operation Sweet Tee,” conducted by the Grovetown Police Department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Three local residents were arrested:

Rubicel Castro-Cruz , 33 of Edgefield.
Anthony Daquan Harley, 30, of Aiken.
James Charles Waller, 31, of Evans.

From left: Rubicel Castro-Cruz , Anthony Daquan Harley and James Charles Waller.(Contributed)

Each was charged with one count of sexual exploitation of children and committed to the Columbia County Detention Center, according to police.

From Thursday evening through early Sunday, undercover agents and investigators engaged with more than 1,000 individuals, via the internet, according to police.

Of those, 157 verified adults expressed a desire to meet for sexual activity, despite being told they were conversing with a child, according to the Grovetown Police Department.

Of that number, 12 stated they would be willing to travel to meet with the so-called child for sex and offered payment in exchange, police said. Some of the individuals engaging in the chats lived as far away as Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The investigation continues and additional charges are expected. Multiple electronic devices and two vehicles were seized as part of the operation.

In addition, an out-of-state registered sex offender was identified as one of the individuals attempting to arrange a meeting for sex with the so-called child, and a warrant has been issued for them as well.

Investigators are working to positively identify the remaining individuals engaged in the solicitation and additional charges and arrests are expected.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta Men’s and Women’s Tennis Home Opener Postponed – Augusta University

Published

1 hour ago

February 2, 2026

Press Room

Augusta Men’s and Women’s Tennis Home Opener Postponed – Augusta University

AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Augusta University men’s and women’s tennis home opener against Benedict College, originally scheduled for Feb. 3 at 1 p.m. at Newman Tennis Center, has been postponed.

The Augusta University women’s tennis team will travel to face Erskine College on Feb. 5 in Due West.

Fans of Jaguar Athletics can GIVE by clicking here. Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University Athletics at www.AugustaJags.com and receive updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics, on Twitter at @AugustaJags and on Instagram @augustajags

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Augusta, GA

Dead body found near railroad tracks at Walton Way

Published

13 hours ago

February 2, 2026

Press Room

Dead body found near railroad tracks at Walton Way

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Richmond County officials found a dead body at Walton Way near the railroad tracks on Sunday.

Authorities say an unhoused individual was found dead on 13th Street at Walton Way near the railroad tracks at 4:40 p.m.

The person is a male, according to the Richmond County Coroner’s Office.

Richmond County Sheriff’s Office deputies and the coroner’s office went to the scene Sunday and were still there as of 5 p.m.

There doesn’t appear to be any foul play right now, according to the sheriff’s office.

The identity of the person will be released once his family is notified.

With temperatures expected to drop to 19 degrees or below again Sunday evening, deputies are actively checking areas where unhoused individuals are known to frequent and are offering transportation to local warming centers.

While they can’t force people to find shelter, the sheriff’s office is still deplying Homeless Outreach Team and working with community partners to strongly encourage them to accept shelter during these dangerous conditons

Business owners and community members who see individuals in need are encouraged to contact dispatch at 706-821-1080 so they can assist.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta-area authorities asks motorists to stay off snowy, icy roads

Published

1 day ago

February 1, 2026

Press Room

Augusta-area authorities asks motorists to stay off snowy, icy roads

Augusta-area residents who woke up to a blanket of snow Sunday are being asked to stay off the dangerously icy roads while temperatures are expected to rise slowly above freezing.

Mayor Garnett Johnson declared a curfew Saturday night until noon Sunday, calling for nonessential businesses to close, including bars and nightspots.

Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Chief Lewis Blanchard said Saturday evening that several roads will be closed.

“Current issues include multiple vehicles in ditches on Deans Bridge Road at Church Street due to driving conditions,” he said in a statement. “Highway 1 and Highway 25 at the county line both have slush and ice present, and traffic issues are already developing and expected to increase as temperatures continue to fall.”

Augusta’s Emergency Management Agency has issued a list of closed roads:
John C. Calhoun Expressway
Barton Chapel Road at Old McDuffie Road
Gordon Highway at Haynes Station Drive
Richmond Hill between Lumpkin Road and Windsor Spring Road
Wrightsboro Road at Heard Avenue

Here’s the forecast from the National Weather Service for the Augusta area:

Sunday: Sunny with a high near 37. Northwest wind 8 to 10 mph. Sunday night, mostly clear with a low around 17. West wind 3 to 6 mph.
Monday: Sunny with a high near 44. Calm wind becoming west around 6 mph in the afternoon. Monday night, mostly clear with a low around 26. Calm wind.
Tuesday: Partly sunny with a high near 55. Calm wind becoming southwest 5 to 7 mph in the morning. Tuesday night has a chance of rain after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Chance of precipitation 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch are possible.
Wednesday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy with a high near 55. Chance of precipitation 60%. Wednesday night calls for a chance of rain before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Chance of precipitation 30%.
Thursday: Partly sunny with a high near 48. Thursday night, mostly clear with a low around 29.
Friday: Sunny with a high near 56. Friday night, mostly clear with a low around 38.
Saturday: Sunny with a high near 56.

Download the free The Augusta Chronicle app and turn on “Notifications” to get breaking news updates on the winter storm. Prefer email news alerts? Sign up for those here.

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