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THE TRUTH SINCE 1886
FAYETTE COUNTY (1) NEWS
f ay ett e-news, net
Vol. 151, No. 36 Wednesday, September 6, 2023 $1.
Gunn Among 26 Arrested in Operation Sneaky Peach
Leah Banks
Investigative Reporter
leah@fayette-news.net
The Georgia Bureau of
Investigation released the
names of 26 individuals
who were arrested in a
statewide investigation into
the sexual exploitation of
children, including 33-year-
old Fayetteville resident
Jeremy Gunn.
The statewide investiga
tion, known as “Operation
Sneaky Peach,” led to ar
rests over an 11-day period.
According to Brian
Johnston, special agent in
charge for the GBI, the op
eration was a multi-unit ju
risdictional coordinated
effort by all agencies in
volved to identify and arrest
individuals involved in tech
nology facilitated crimes
against children.
“Operation Sneaky
Peach involved three
months of planning and in
cluded both proactive and
reactive cases investigated
by the GBI and affiliate
agencies with the Georgia
ICAC Task Force,” Johnston
said. “Proactive investiga
tions consisted of targeting
peer-to-peer network users
sharing child sexual abuse
material, commonly known
as child pornography, and
undercover chat investiga
tions targeting those that
communicate with and ar
range to meet what is be
lieved to be a child for the
purpose of engaging in sex
ual acts.”
Johnston noted that the
investigation began in June
and was carried out in three
different phases utilizing
technology and advance
ments to obtain information
on offenders. The investiga
tion involved different
agencies that contributed to
the operation.
“From time to time, we
try to get together and con
duct operations as a task
force and often times we get
together and conduct it in a
See GBI, A6
Jeremy Gunn
Brigitte Greer/Fayette News
'Say Their Name'
Fayette Observes International
Overdose Awareness Day
Communities around
the world gathered on Aug.
31 in honor of International
Overdose Awareness Day.
Each community observed
the day differently, and in
Fayetteville, supporters
gathered around the Lane
Brown Gazebo on Stonewall
Avenue for the annual “Say
Their Name” vigil.
Parents, grandparents,
children, aunts, uncles, and
friends shared stories and
read poems while they
fondly remembered those
who lost their battle with
drug addiction.
Adjacent to the gazebo
stands a crape myrtle tree,
which was planted in 2019
during Fayette County’s
first community-wide ob
servation, courtesy of the
Drug Free Fayette Coalition
in remembrance for all who
were lost by way of over
dose. Participants added the
names of loved ones to the
tree.
Georgia State Rep. Der-
Doreen Barr adds a name to the crate myrtle
rick Jackson and Fay
etteville Mayor Ed Johnson
were in attendance, while
Fayette County Commis
sioner Eric Maxwell and
Peachtree City Deputy Po
lice Chief Lt. Matt Myer ad
dressed the crowd by
sharing Fayette County’s
plan to fight the ongoing
drug epidemic.
“We’re in the process of
trying to grant a detox
center here in Fayette
County just right down the
road,” Maxwell said.
See Say Their Name, A5
Suzanne Brown
Candidate for PTC
Council Post 2
Suzanne
Brown has an
nounced her can
didacy for
Peachtree City
Council Post 2.
After attend
ing Peachtree City
Council, Peach
tree City Planning
Commission,
Fayette County
Board of Education, and Fayette Board of
Elections meetings for two-and-one-half
years and speaking out on issues during
public comment and public hearings,
Brown said it was time for “a citizen with
out conflicts of interest to step forward to
defend our quality of life.”
Suzanne moved to Peachtree City more
than four years ago to be closer to her
grandchildren, daughter, and son-in-law.
See Brown, A6
Vic Painter
Candidate for PTC
Council Post 2
Business
. — \\
leader, successful
banker, and com-
munity advocate
i - f i
Vic Painter an-
nounces his can-
didacy for
'■ y ** 1
Peachtree City
' *
Council Post 2.
"I am running
because this com-
Vic Painter
munity has meant
so much to me and my family," said
Painter. "I know that we can work together
to solve problems like out-of-control traffic
and keeping our community safe while
supporting our great school system.
“With my background in finance, I
know how we can spend wisely to invest in
city services that are important to us,” he
continued. “Peachtree City is an amazing
community with amazing people, and I
See Painter, A6
Suzanne Brown
Tyrone to Begin
Development of
Multi-Use Cart Path
Leah Banks
Investigative Reporter
leah@fayette-news.net
After much anticipation
and preparation, the Town
of Tyrone is preparing to
begin its Tyrone Road
multi-use path expansion
project.
According to town offi
cials, the project is slated to
begin this month as ease
ments have been obtained,
the construction bid was
awarded by the town coun
cil, and the contracts have
been signed.
“Staff had a pre-con
struction meeting with the
contractor on Aug. 31 to go
over all the details of the
project,” officials said.
“Piedmont Paving is sched
uled to begin work on Sept.
11, and completion is sched
uled for Nov. 10. This time
line could be affected by
weather and other unfore
seen circumstances, but all
parties believe it is a reason
able schedule.”
The completion of this
path will allow for virtually
every citizen who resides on
the east side of State Route
74 to have multi-use path
connectivity to the down
town area of Tyrone, ac
cording to town officials.
Walk to End
Alzheimer's
Set Oct. 7
World Alzheimer’s Month
Recognized in September
Leah Banks
Investigative Reporter
leah@fayette-news.net
Walk to End Alzheimer’s
is known nationwide for the
vibrant floral representa
tions and purple shirts that
help raise awareness for the
disease that impacts those
diagnosed and their loved
ones, and in Peachtree City,
walkers and participants are
set to hit the pavement at
Fred Brown Jr. Amphithe
ater on Oct. 7.
The opening ceremony
is set for 9 a.m., with the
walk following the cere
mony. According to event
coordinator Melissa Kemp,
all funds and proceeds are
used to further the care,
support, and research ef
forts of the Alzheimer’s As
sociation.
The event also includes
the Promise Garden Flower,
which allows for partici
pants to choose a pinwheel
flower in the color that rep
resents their connection to
the disease.
Blue represents some
one living with Alzheimer’s
or another dementia. Purple
is for those who have lost
someone to the disease. Yel
low represents someone
who is currently supporting
or caring for a person living
with Alzheimer’s. Orange is
See Alzheimer's, A5
Leah Banks/Fayette News
INSIDE: FAYETTE VIEWS
SPORTS
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CONTACT US: support@fayette-news.net - (770) 461-6317 - fayette-news.net
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