White County Man Charged with Child Abuse and Sexual Exploitation

State investigators arrested and charged a 32-year-old White County man with multiple child sex crimes, according to a news release from the GBI. Christopher Tench faces four counts of child molestation and six counts of child sexual exploitation.

Agents with the GBI’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes (CEACC) Unit charged Tench on Sunday, Sept. 8, following an investigation into his online activities. The GBI says the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office has requested CEACC investigate Tench for possible online possession and production of child sexual abuse material.

Agents arrested Tench after executing a search warrant at his residence in White County. Dawson and White County agents and agents from the GBI Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office assisted in the search.

Authorities have booked Tench into the White County Detention Center.

How to report child sex crimes

According to the GBI, this investigation is part of ongoing efforts to identify those involved in the distribution and trafficking of child abuse material.

Anyone with information about other cases of child sexual exploitation should contact the GBI Child Exploitation Unit at 404-270-8870 or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at Report.CyberTipline.org.

Submit anonymous tips to 1-800-597-TIPS (8477) via the GBI CyberTipline or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.