Local News
"Traveler case" now in Whitfield
A man authorities have referred to as a “traveler case” for alleged crimes in more than one county has been delivered to the Whitfield County Jail from Catoosa County and will face several child sex and drug charges in Superior Court here.
Paul Timothy Needham, 41, of 3631 Susan Lane in Tunnel Hill, was booked into the jail on Tuesday on nine counts of child molestation/aggravated child molestation, two counts of enticing a child for indecent purposes, aggravated sexual battery, possession of less than an ounce of marijuana, computer pornography, obscene Internet contact with a child and criminal attempt to commit a misdemeanor.
Maj. John Gibson with the sheriff’s office said that although Catoosa County released Needham to be arraigned here, he still must face similar charges there.
Needham’s arrest in September of 2008 was the result of an investigation by the Innocent Images Task Force, which targets child sexual exploitation and child pornography on the Internet.
“It was brought to the task force’s attention of an inappropriate relationship (between Needham and the alleged victim),” said John Parrish, agent in charge of the Dalton FBI office, at the time of the arrest. “We assumed the victim’s identity and chats were had between him and the task force and he agreed to meet and was arrested.”
District Attorney Kermit McManus said the case will possibly go on the trial calendar after arraignment.
“He could go back to Catoosa County after that,” he said. “It would depend on who’s on the faster track.”
A clerk of court spokeswoman said Needham is scheduled to be arraigned in Whitfield County on Nov. 16.
Officers with the Dalton Police Department, the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office, the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office and the Fort Oglethorpe Police Department participate in the task force.
- Local News
-
-
Hadley says Georgians want government that works
R.J. Hadley, the former chief of staff for Rockdale County, is running as a Democrat for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Johnny Isakson.
-
Chatsworth man arrested on multiple theft warrants in Rome
A Murray County man was arrested Monday and charged with multiple counts of theft after police said he illegally used a store credit card to procure gift cards for his own use.
-
Brochu a finalist for S.C. job
Whitfield County Schools superintendent Katie Brochu is among three finalists for the superintendent position of Richland School District Two in Columbia, S.C.
-
Bandy Heritage Center presents lecture on Georgia author Flannery O’Connor
As part of its “2009-2010: Celebrating Georgia’s Women Authors” lecture series, the Bandy Heritage Center for Northwest Georgia will present “Flannery O’Connor in the 21st Century” on Thursday.
-
Bethel resigns council seat
The Dalton City Council voted 3-0 to accept Bethel’s resignation and to call for a special election on July 20.
-
Cockfighting raid a multi-agency crackdown
More than 10 law enforcement agencies built a case for 14 months before taking down a cockfighting operation in southern Murray County on Saturday, authorities said.
-
Students protest state budget cuts
About 20 Dalton State College students joined the ranks of hundreds of college students around Georgia on Monday in a budget protest rally at the state Capitol.
-
Fugitive involved in local armed robbery
An armed robbery in north Dalton in mid-January led to two arrests in Massachusetts last week, authorities said.
-
Springplace bypass gets green light
But the project to relieve traffic congestion at the Highway 52 Alternate and Highway 225 intersection has been scaled back — from a four-lane connector to a two-lane thoroughfare — between Ga. Highway 225 south of Springplace to U.S. Highway 76 west of Central.
-
Chatsworth man charged with child sex offenses
A Chatsworth man has been charged with several child sex offenses in Whitfield County.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Hadley says Georgians want government that works
