Former Athens-Clarke County Police Officer Amber Nicole Ferguson has been indicted on several federal charges, including production and attempted production of child sexual abuse material, possession of such material involving a minor under 12, and production of obscene material.
"Sexual predators who prey upon children or sexually abuse animals for the purpose of disseminating images of the abuse face significant prison time if convicted in federal court,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “To protect the community and its most vulnerable members, my office will aggressively prosecute anyone who commits such crimes.”
Special Agent in Charge Steven N. Schrank of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama commented, “The actions alleged in this indictment represent a profound betrayal of the trust and responsibility placed in law enforcement officers. Those who are sworn to protect our communities—especially our children—must be held to the highest standards. Homeland Security Investigations is committed to ensuring that individuals who exploit their positions to harm the most vulnerable will be brought to justice.”
Chris Hosey, Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, added, “Few crimes are as vile as those committed against children. When the offender is someone who swore an oath to protect the public and uphold the law, it is an even deeper violation. We remain unwavering in our commitment to working alongside our partners to safeguard our most vulnerable and bring offenders, regardless of their title or authority, to justice.”
According to information presented by U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, an investigation began after a family member reported suspicions about two minors to the Commerce Police Department. Authorities found child sexual abuse material on Ferguson’s phone during their investigation. Further evidence allegedly showed Ferguson possessed images involving horse and dog bestiality, which she is accused of producing along with child sex abuse material.
Ferguson, 34, from Commerce, Georgia, was arraigned on December 4 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Anna W. Howard following her indictment by a federal grand jury on December 2. The indictment contains only charges at this stage; Ferguson is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
If convicted for production or attempted production of child sex abuse material, Ferguson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison. The final sentence will be determined by the Court with reference to United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (a division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement), the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Commerce Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Keen is prosecuting this case.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched by the Attorney General in February 2006 aimed at protecting children from online exploitation and abuse through coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local agencies led by United States Attorney’s Offices nationwide. More details about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
For additional information about this case or related matters from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia: http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.