Five local registered sex offenders arrested in GBI’s Operation Southern Impact III

Operation Southern Impact III, an operation of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Internet Crimes against Children task force, resulted in the arrest of multiple local registered sex offenders.

This operation targeted those registered sex offenders who are on probation or parole with the Georgia Department of Community Supervision (DCS), and the purpose of the operation was to serve active warrants and conduct searches.

According to a press release issued by the Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix, the SCSO CAGE Unit on April 30 and May 2 assisted the GBI in the execution of Fourth Amendment waiver/probation searches of selected registered offenders’ residences.

Officials say these searches resulted in six arrests and the seizure of methamphetamine, GHB, three firearms and four cellular devices that contained pornography that they are prohibited from having in their possession.

The five registered offenders arrested and charged as a result of this operation were:

Darrick Lynn Hardin, who was charged with violation of probation; Billy Joe Fuller, who was charged with violation of probation and possession of methamphetamine; Stephen Henry Tingle, who was charged with violation of parole; Emmanuel Earnest Culpepper, who was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of GHB, possession of drug related objects and violation of probation; Kenny Richard Ford, who was charged with violation of probation, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of drug related objects.

Rebekah Leigh Freeman, a non-sex offender, was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of GHB and possession of drug related objects.