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Augusta, GA

Online sting for child predators nets 3 local residents

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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.

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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

Peach Belt tournament: Augusta misses out for the first time in Metress era

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Peach Belt tournament: Augusta misses out for the first time in Metress era


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 2025-2026 Peach Belt Conference brackets are set, and there is plenty of shakeup this year.

Starting with the women’s bracket, Augusta University secured the #4 overall seed and will face #5 seed Middle Georgia in round one.

USCA’s women’s team did not fair as well, finishing in last place of this season’s standings.

On the men’s side, USCA’s men’s team secured the eighth and final spot in the conference tournament.

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In a shocking turn of events, AU’s men’s team did not qualify for the tournament.

This marks the first time the program has missed the PBC tournament since Dip Metress took over the program in 2004.



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Augusta, GA

Augusta Falls to Georgia Southwestern in Final Game of the Series – Augusta University

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Augusta Falls to Georgia Southwestern in Final Game of the Series – Augusta University


Augusta, Ga. – Augusta managed just five hits and one run and fell to Georgia Southwestern 12-1 Sunday as the Hurricanes win two of the three games of the series. The Jaguars are now 7-2 in Peach Belt Conference play and 11-8 overall. The Canes improve to 7-2 in conference play and 12-7 overall. 

Georgia Southwestern scored runs in all but one inning including four runs in the first two innings and plated five runs in the fifth, highlighted by a grand slam. 

The only Augusta run would come in the fourth inning. Landon Leonard would reach on an error and would come around when Kent Moon reached on a fielder’s choice that would plate Leonard.

Leonard, Moon, Davis Newman, Harris Bachelder and Jakob Cowart would collect the hits for the Jaguars.  

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Augusta will next be in action on Friday when the open up a three game series with Lander at Jaguar Field. First pitch on Friday is set for 6:00 p.m.

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

 





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Augusta, GA

Protestors in downtown Augusta speak out after strikes on Iran

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Protestors in downtown Augusta speak out after strikes on Iran


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Local protestors made their voices heard after Israel and the U.S. announced strikes on Iran Saturday, ones that killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reports say.

Protesters lined 13th Street in Downtown Augusta and walked across the river to North Augusta to make sure as many people as possible heard them.

50501 CSRA already had a march planned for Saturday, but in light of the strikes on Iran, decided to expand its focus.

Local leaders spoke about their concerns for the strikes, and roughly 60 people showed up to share theirs as well.

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One of the event organizers said to make your voice heard your voice heard.

“Just call your people, call your representatives, if you don’t like that Iran was bombed, I don’t either. But call people and let them know, email them. Let it be relentless. Congress did not approve this. They have a say in this,” Zee Cook said.

The strike is being called “Operation Epic Fury,” with Iran responding with multiple missile and drone strikes across the Middle East.

In a social media post, President Trump said the bombing of the country will continue “as long as necessary.”

People across the world began lining the streets as well in support and against the decision.

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Leaders across the world reacted to the news, including those in Georgia and South Carolina.

There’s a protest planned in Charleston and other regional cities this week.



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