Pillar of community arrested on child porn charges

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. — A well-known member of the Rockdale County community has been arrested on child-pornography charges.

The Rockdale County Sheriff's Office told Channel 2’s Justin Wilfon this is an ongoing investigation centering on Gary Bridgewater, 56.

"It's very hurtful, it's sad, there's not even words to describe it," neighbor Allison Stephenson told Wilfon.

Like so many others in the county, Stephenson can't believe her friend now faces child-porn charges.

The Rockdale County Sheriff's Office arrested Bridgewater last week.

"Just completely shocked. Gary's lived down the road from me forever.  He's done stuff for my family, yard work, one of my really good friends. Just never would have suspected it, ever," Stephenson said.

Bridgewater worked with many in the community as member of the Rockdale County Rotary Club. He also served as community advisor at the Rockdale Career Academy, but the Rockdale County School District told Wilfon it was a limited role and that his term expired last month, only days before his arrest.

"Whether it's someone that's well known in the community or someone no one would know at all, the sheriff of Rockdale County takes all crime here serious," said Michael Meyers with the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office.

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Deputies went to Bridgewater's Conyers home last week, acting on a tip from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

A police report revealed deputies removed several electronic devices, which the sheriff's office said contained multiple images of child porn they believe Bridgewater downloaded. Deputies said they also found other material printed out.

Wilfon knocked on Bridgewater's door Wednesday, but no one answered.

The man, who once appeared everywhere in the community, is now seemingly hard to find.

"If the charges do go through and he's found guilty, then he needs to pay the price for it," Stephenson said.

Bridgewater bonded out of jail. He's facing 15 counts of sexual exploitation of children.

Cox Media Group