Youth camp director arrested on child porn charge

LUMPKIN COUNTY, Ga. — A youth organization leader faces a serious charge after deputies said they found child pornography on the man’s computer.

Paul Travis Williams turned himself in to authorities after investigators said they found him in possession of an explicit image of a child.

Channel 2's Tom Regan reports the arrest is sending "shockwaves" throughout the Lumpkin County community.

Williams had been the director for the 4-H camp for 17 years.

Authorities said Williams had downloaded child pornography on a computer that he used at the Wasehga 4-H camp. He also lives in a house at that location.

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The 4-H camp is a mentoring extension program of the University of Georgia. The sheriff said a cyber filter run by UGA detected the suspicious download made at the camp.

“The 4-H camp is an off-site facility for the University of Georgia,” said Lumpkin County Sheriff Stacy Jarrard. “They had gotten information that there had been some evidence or some things that had come into the 4-H camp, by web and then at that time they reach out to us  and we conducted a search warrant and they assisted us with it.”

The sheriff said they seized a hard drive and computers from the camp and are going through thousands of images.

Williams is out on bond.

Some residents said the allegations are especially troubling, giving Williams responsibilities.

“How do you make a career being around kids and then turn around and do that?” asked resident Kyle Patel.

Williams attorney sent Channel 2 Action News a statement saying:

"Travis Williams is shocked and horrified by the charge against him and completely denies any involvement whatsoever with child pornography. He has cooperated fully with law enforcement and he will continue to assist in all possible ways with the investigation of any inappropriate content.

4-H is described as a global network of youth organizations whose mission is "engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development."

Cox Media Group