Central Georgia Man Faces Charges for Attempted Sale of Teen Girl on Dark Web: Urgent Warning for Parents
In a shocking incident, a Central Georgia man has been indicted for his alleged attempt to sell a teenage girl on the dark web. Kelly Garrett Ivey was recently indicted in Jasper County on several charges, including criminal attempt to commit a felony, specifically kidnapping.
According to arrest warrants, the crimes in question occurred in June, and Ivey was subsequently arrested. Following his arrest, the judge denied him bond on July 11th, citing the significant danger he poses. The charges against Ivey stem from his alleged involvement in trying to sell information about a 16-year-old female on the dark web. This information included her home address and the places she regularly attends. His intent was for her to be abducted, assaulted, or subjected to other forms of harm.
The website involved in this disturbing case is called Slave Bay, as mentioned in the indictment. Notably, this platform featured explicit images of unclothed women alongside the advertisement in which Ivey offered to sell information about the victim. Ivey claimed to possess the home address and details of where the victim would typically be found. Shockingly, he even posted several images of her on the advertisement.
In a troubling twist, it has come to light that the victim and Ivey may have known each other through a church they both attended at one point. This information was verified by the pastor. However, due to the importance of ensuring the victim’s anonymity, Atlanta News First has made the decision not to disclose the name of the church involved.
In light of this disturbing incident, it is crucial for students and parents to be vigilant, especially with the resumption of school and extracurricular activities. Camila Zolfaghari, the Executive Director of Street Grace Georgia, an organization dedicated to preventing human trafficking, emphasizes the need for heightened awareness. Zolfaghari advises parents to have open conversations with their children, stressing the potential dangers they may encounter online. Exploiters often try to deceive and lure unsuspecting individuals, so it is important for parents to educate their children about online safety.
Zolfaghari emphasizes that children today experience a variety of situations through their phones. In order to protect them effectively, parents must be willing to address these topics openly. Failure to do so may result in children assuming certain behaviors are normal or acceptable.
The news of this horrifying case serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present dangers lurking on the internet. It is imperative for parents, schools, and communities to work together to safeguard their children against potential exploitation and harm.
