Jimmy Lee Bowling
A Gilmer County man thought he was meeting a 14-year-old girl, but instead was arrested by deputies in Cherokee County.
He showed up wearing a Santa hat.
Jimmy Lee Bowling, 68, of Ellijay, was arrested by investigators with the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit Dec. 18 and charged with attempted child molestation, pandering, sexual exploitation of a child, obscene internet contact with a minor and violation of the computer pornography and sexual exploitation act.
Bowling had been communicating with investigators for almost two weeks, said Jay Baker, director of communications for the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office.
“There is no trickery involved,” Baker said. “The investigators who handle these investigations make it clear in these conversations the suspects are communicating with underage personas.”
Bowling was being held at the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center without bond.