Fort Moore man charged in GCSO child exploitation investigation

Fort Moore man charged in GCSO child exploitation investigation

January 18th, 2024 – 4:45 PM

Gordon County Sheriff’s Office –

A Fort Moore, Georgia man, reported to be an active duty soldier in the Army, was arrested Tuesday, January 16th in Muscogee County (Georgia) by military police on request of Gordon County Sheriff’s Detectives after an online undercover investigation.

Detectives have charged Andrew James Papest, age 36, of 8471 Arracourt Way, Fort Moore, Georgia with six (6) counts of Computer/Electronic Pornography, seven (7) counts of Enticing a Child For Indecent Purposes, and one (1) count of Solicitation of Sodomy Under 18 Years of Age. 

The investigation was initiated by Sheriff’s ‘Internet Crimes Against Children’ Unit detectives on January 8th wherein the defendant engaged in online communications with an officer posing as a 14-year-old female.

The defendant made improper and unlawful solicitations via a ‘chat room’ and transmitted a pornographic image.

On January 16, Papest was arrested by military police at Fort Moore in Muscogee County where he was held until being retrieved by Gordon County deputies yesterday.

He is being held in the Gordon County Jail pending bond proceedings.