Three Arrested in Statesboro After Undercover Operation Targeting Online Predators

Three men have been arrested in Statesboro following an undercover operation to target online predators. An officer with the Statesboro Police Department recently posed online as a 15 year old, while Impact Team officers monitored traffic on the sites. According to SPD, each of the three men sought a meeting with the “15 year old” for sexually explicit purposes and were arrested when they arrived to meet in person. Current charges are listed below. The investigation is ongoing and more charges may be added.

From SPD:

Online solicitation of children for sexual purposes via the internet is a concern for parents across the nation, including in our own community. There exist a wide array of electronic platforms which offer criminals anonymous places to sell stolen property, obtain child pornography, and in the case of a recent Impact Team operation, solicit minors for sex.

Using an undercover SPD officer posing as a 15 year old, Impact Team officers monitored traffic on sites known to play host to these sorts of illegal activities. Over the course of a multi-day investigation, three separate individuals sought a meeting with the “15 year old” for sexually explicit purposes. Officers took great care to emphasize to the suspects that they were arranging a meeting with an underage person so as to eliminate any possible misunderstandings. When each of the suspects arrived to meet the “15 year old” in person they were taken into custody by Impact officers and SPD detectives. They were then transported to the Bulloch County Jail for processing. The investigations into these suspects continue through the analysis of cell phones and computers seized during the arrests. Additional charges are possible based on the results of these efforts.

Defendants in this case are as follows:
1. Robert Mikael Jackson (31, Nassau Drive, Statesboro): 1 count Criminal Attempt to Commit Aggravated Child Molestation, 1 count Criminal Attempt to Commit Child Molestation, 1 count Criminal Attempt to Entice a Child for Indecent Purposes, 1 count Criminal Attempt to Commit Statutory Rape, 1 count Use of a Computer Service to Entice a Child to Commit an Illegal Act, 1 count Obstruction (misdemeanor)

2. Ryan David Timmerman (38, Midhurst Drive, Knoxville, TN): 1 count Criminal Attempt to Commit Aggravated Child Molestation, 1 count Criminal Attempt to Commit Child Molestation, 1 count Criminal Attempt to Entice a Child for Indecent Purposes, 1 count Criminal Attempt to Commit Statutory Rape, 1 count Use of a Computer Service to Entice a Child to Commit an Illegal Act, 1 count Possession of Methamphetamine, 1 count Possession of a Drug Related Object

3. Justin Tad Roberson (42, Old Wadley Road, Swainsboro, GA): 1 count Criminal Attempt to Entice a Child for Indecent Purposes, 1 count Criminal Attempt to Commit Sexual Battery, 1 count Use of a Computer Service to Entice a Child to Commit an Illegal Act, 1 count Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony, 1 count Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, 1 count Obstruction (misdemeanor)

The Statesboro Police Department is committed to ensuring the safety of the children in our community. Impact Team officers anticipate continuing these undercover operations in future

Anyone with information on drug or vice related activity in the City of Statesboro should contact the Impact Team at 912-764-9911 or submit an anonymous tip to tips@statesboroga.gov.