Mount Airy Man Arrested in Child Exploitation Investigation

MOUNT AIRY, Ga. — A Habersham County man has been arrested and charged following an investigation into the distribution of child sexual abuse material, according to authorities.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation identified the suspect as Adrian Machuca, 26, of Mount Airy. He faces two counts of sexual exploitation of children.

The case began after the GBI’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit received multiple CyberTipline reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Authorities said the reports indicated the online distribution of child sexual abuse material, prompting an investigation that ultimately led to Machuca’s arrest.

Machuca was taken into custody on April 21 and booked into the Habersham County Jail.

The Habersham County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation, officials said.

Authorities noted the case is part of a broader effort by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, a nationwide initiative supported by the U.S. Department of Justice and coordinated in Georgia through the GBI. The program focuses on identifying individuals involved in the exploitation of children online and addressing the growing volume of abuse material shared to the internet.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information related to child exploitation cases is encouraged to contact the GBI’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit or submit a tip through NCMEC’s CyberTipline.