A Waycross woman and Blackshear man have been arrested and charged with multiple felonies after they both reportedly had inappropriate contact earlier this year with a female under 12 years old, Ware County Sheriff Carl James said last week in a news release.
Arrested were Amy Michelle Crews, 45, of the 100 block of New Mexico Avenue, and Joe Christopher Heath, 42, of the 6500 block of Phillips Road.
Crews, who was on parole and had a fourth amendment waiver at the time of the alleged contact, was charged with Sexual Exploitation of Children and Parole Violation. Heath was charged with seven counts of Exploitation of Children.
Crews was arrested by Ware detectives Tuesday, June 2, and Heath was arrested Thursday, June 4. The two remain in the Ware County Jail after having bond denied following appearances before a Ware County Magistrate.
“I’m saddened and troubled for many reasons, including my thoughts for the child affected by this case,” Sheriff James said. “Unfortunately, there will always be those that will make horrible choices that deeply hurt others. This type of behavior cannot and will not be tolerated. I’m so glad the detectives’ fine work will hopefully ensure these individuals will be held accountable in the courts and that this young girl will get some help.”
Crews
Heath
Acting on intelligence information received in early June, the detectives followed up and checked on the welfare of the female victim. Detectives were able to check Crews’ cellphone, where they found evidence the woman had taken nude images of the child and sent them to a man Crews knew for money.
Crews admitted to authorities she had done so in order to obtain funds to get her driver’s license reinstated/ personal gain.
The male associate was identified as Heath, and he was charged with receiving the images of the underage female juvenile and his involvement in this case.
After further extensive investigation, multiple interviews, search warrants being filed on Crew’s cellphone, and reviewing other records, authorities were able to obtain probable cause to seek an arrest warrant for Heath. Additional search warrants and records are being sought to complete the investigation into this case, authorities said.
Det. Sgt. Dakota York was the assigned investigator, and with multiple other members of the Ware County Crime Investigation Division — Det. Kyle Strickland and Det. Antony Phillips, with Det. Capt. Melissa Thrift assisting with the overall management of the case as the senior investigating officer.
The investigation remains active and ongoing, Sheriff James said.
If anyone in the public has any information and wishes to remain anonymous regarding the activities of Amy Michelle Crews or Joel Christopher Heath, they can call the Ware County Sheriff's Office voice tip line at (912-) 287-TIPS(8477) or send an electronic tip message in via the internet at waresheriff.com (Click the large “tip line” button).
If someone has information and wishes to speak directly to a detective, they can call (912) 287-4327 during business hours, or when leaving a message on the voice tip line or electronic tip system, leave your name and contact information for a return call.
