By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
In separate investigations, authorities announced the arrest of three men in connection with ongoing child exploitation cases. Law enforcement officials said the arrests were the result of coordinated efforts between local agencies and the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.
According to officials, the investigation involved allegations related to online activity and the alleged exchange or possession of illegal material involving minors. Detectives said the case developed over time through digital forensic work and investigative leads provided through cybercrime reporting networks.
20-year-old Aaron Lucas Goram of Enterprise, 33-year-old Christopher Brian Davis, and 23-year-old Christopher Cole Hilson of Wicksburg were each arrested and charged with a combined forty-one counts of sexually exploiting children.
Goram was arrested and charged with one count of traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act, one count of second-degree rape, two counts of first-degree rape, and one count of dissemination/display of child pornography.
The HCSO began an investigation into the sexual assault of a minor on July 20, and investigators were able to determine the suspect after conducting multiple interviews, reviewing documents, and other evidence collected over the course of their investigation. Because Goram resided in Enterprise, the Enterprise Police Department and the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office assisted in locating him at his home on Star Street. He was arrested and booked in Houston County Jail. He currently has no bond set..
Hilson has been charged with four counts of attempting to disseminate child pornography. Dale County began the investigation, which was ultimately transferred to the Houston County Sheriff’s Office from the Dale County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force. The investigation unearthed Hilton’s alleged purchase and sharing of online child sexual abuse material.
Hilson was arrested and booked into the Houston County Jail on bonds in the amount of $45,000.
Davis was charged with 32 counts of possession/dissemination of child pornography after the HCSO received a tip in April from ICAC about several files being requested through an AI platform which contained child sexual abuse material.
Authorities were able to connect the AI requests and downloads to two separate homes. One is located in the 1100 block of East Saunders Road in Houston County while the other is located near the 8500 block of County Road 99 in Henry County.
Davis was arrested and booked into the Houston County Jail on bonds that total $960,000. He has been released on bond, according to court records we reviewed.
The three suspects were taken into custody without incident and are currently being held pending further legal proceedings. Additional details, including the identities of those arrested and specific charges, were not immediately released as the investigation remains active.
Authorities said the case underscores the continued focus on identifying and prosecuting individuals involved in the exploitation of children online. Officials also reiterated that these types of investigations often span multiple jurisdictions and require extensive cooperation between state, local, and federal partners.
The ICAC Task Force and participating agencies continue to encourage the public to report suspected online exploitation or suspicious activity involving minors.
