Athens man charged with child sexual exploitation after online activity

Timothy Lee Randles, 39, was arrested following a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 5:51pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a computer mouse or keyboard, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic that conceptually represents the digital evidence in a child exploitation case.The harsh, unforgiving light of a police investigation shines on the digital evidence of a disturbing online crime.Atlanta Today

An Athens, Georgia man named Timothy Lee Randles, 39, has been arrested and charged with one count of sexual exploitation of children. The arrest came after the Athens-Clarke County Police Department received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) suggesting Randles could be possessing or distributing materials depicting child sexual abuse. The FBI and Georgia Bureau of Investigation assisted with the investigation, which is still ongoing.

Why it matters

Cases of online child sexual exploitation have become increasingly prevalent, with the NCMEC reporting a surge in tips related to this issue. This arrest highlights the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute these serious crimes that exploit vulnerable children.

The details

According to police, the investigation into Randles began in March 2026 after the NCMEC tip. Authorities say Randles' online activity raised red flags, leading to his arrest on Thursday. The FBI and Georgia Bureau of Investigation assisted the Athens-Clarke County Police Department with the case.

  • The investigation into Randles began in March 2026 following a tip from the NCMEC.
  • Randles was taken into custody on Thursday, April 17, 2026.

The players

Timothy Lee Randles

A 39-year-old man from Athens, Georgia who was arrested and charged with one count of sexual exploitation of children.

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)

A nonprofit organization that provides assistance to families and law enforcement agencies in cases involving missing and exploited children.

Athens-Clarke County Police Department

The law enforcement agency that investigated the case and made the arrest of Timothy Lee Randles.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

The federal law enforcement agency that assisted the Athens-Clarke County Police Department with the investigation.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI)

The state law enforcement agency that also assisted the Athens-Clarke County Police Department with the investigation.

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What’s next

The investigation into Randles is still ongoing, and police are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Dara Shapland at the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.

The takeaway

This arrest highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute cases of online child sexual exploitation, which remains a serious and growing problem. The collaboration between local, state, and federal authorities demonstrates the commitment to protecting vulnerable children and holding perpetrators accountable.