Man, 41, charged with sexual exploitation of child

(WTVM) - On Oct. 11, the Columbus Police Department Robbery/Assault unit was contacted by the Cherokee County Georgia District Attorney's office in reference to a missing juvenile from their jurisdiction.

They informed CPD that they had reason to believe the female juvenile was in the company of a 41-year-old man who was sexually exploiting the child. They advised CPD that the male suspect was supposedly moving the juvenile to different locations within the states of Georgia, Alabama and Florida.

At each location, sexually provocative ads were placed on various internet sites. The child's legal guardian, as well as the Cherokee County DA's office, felt like the juvenile was being exploited and abused.

The Columbus Police Department Robbery/Assault Unit & the Columbus Police Department Special Operations Unit began a joint investigation into this matter.

On Oct. 13, the juvenile was located with 41-year-old Rickey Eric Goodwin in Columbus, Ga.

The white male was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and interstate interference with custody at that time and booked into the Muscogee County Jail.

The juvenile female was returned to North Georgia.

The investigation continued with the execution of search warrants and subpoenas and on Oct. 30 an additional charge of sexual exploitation of children (Ga. code 16-12-100) was made against Goodwin.

Goodwin was still inside the Muscogee County Jail when this charge was added.

This investigation is still ongoing and additional charges may be forthcoming.

Police are asking anyone with any knowledge as to Goodwin's activities with juveniles to please contact Corporal David Stokes of the Robbery/Assault Unit at 706-225-4242 or 706-653-3400.

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