A University of Georgia student is facing nearly two dozen felony child pornography charges.
Sang Don Nam, 22, was arrested by Athens-Clarke County police last week on warrants charging him with 22 counts of sexual exploitation of children for images he allegedly possessed on personal electronic devises.
Nam was arrested by Athens police Thursday afternoon when they executed a search warrant at Rutherford Hall, where Nam is said on UGA’s website to be a student assistant. He was held at the Clarke County Jail until Friday, at which time he posted a total bond of $22,000.
UGA spokesman Bob Taylor said the university would not disclose Nam's current status as a student. He released the following statement.
"The university’s Code of Conduct expressly prohibits any member of the student body from conduct that threatens or endangers the health or safety of another person. We are cooperating fully with authorities as they continue to investigate the incident. We take such incidents seriously and, as with any investigation of this nature, are not able to disclose additional details."
Nam’s arrest stemmed from an investigation initiated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, according to Lt. Jeff Clark, commanding officer of the Athens-Clarke County police Sex Crimes Unit.
According to Clark, the GBI task force began its investigation after procuring certain evidence in early May, and local police have only just started its end of the probe.
The officer would not discuss any other aspects of the case.
According to an Athens-Clarke County police report, the GBI notified local police about Nam’s alleged illegal activities on July 26.
Investigations initiated by the GBI’s ICAC Task Force typically involve the seizure of computers, cellphones and other devices on which suspects are thought to have illegal photographs and video of children being sexually exploited. Those seizures usually are made by local authorities once they become involved.
Follow Criminal Justice reporter Joe Johnson at www.facebook.com/JoeJohnsonABH or www.twitter.com/JoeJohnsonABH.