Press Release
Former Teacher and Police Officer Pled Guilty To Sex Trafficking Of a Minor
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Georgia
Brunswick, GA: Tracy Wayne Crosby, 42 of Waycross, entered a guilty plea on Friday, before the Honorable Lisa Godbey Wood to one count of sex trafficking of a minor.
Evidence presented at the guilty plea revealed that up until his arrest in this case, Crosby was the criminal justice teacher at Ware County High School and a part-time police officer with Pierce County. Evidence further revealed that Crosby used his cell phone to communicate with a sixteen-year-old boy online. Crosby agreed to meet with the boy to have sex in exchange for $10.00. Camden County law enforcement immediately responded and arrested Crosby when he was with the boy. Crosby admitted to federal agents that he had sex with the boy more than once and that he arranged to have sex with the boy online.
Crosby plead guilty to Sex Trafficking of a Minor, a federal crime and now faces not less than ten years imprisonment and up to life imprisonment. If released from federal custody, Crosby will be required to register as a sex offender and will be under the Court’s supervised release for not less than five years up to life. There is no parole in the federal system. Crosby is incarcerated awaiting a sentencing hearing.
The indictment of Crosby arises out of an investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) in connection with the Camden County Sheriff Office and the Ware County Sheriff’s Office.
United States Attorney Bobby L. Christine said, “Anyone who pays to have sex with children will be brought to justice and will face substantial time in federal prison. The United States continues its relentless work to protect our most precious and vulnerable citizens. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to rescue children and put traffickers and customers behind bars.”
“The breach of trust committed by a former teacher and law enforcement officer in this case is beyond troubling and shows that HSI will investigate and hold accountable all persons who violate our nation’s laws,” said Nick S. Annan, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Atlanta. “Sparing children the unspeakable harm of sexual exploitation continues to be one of HSI’s highest priorities and we will continue to aggressively investigate leads to identity and arrest anyone seeking to harm children in violation of federal law.”
Camden County Sheriff Jim Proctor said, “It is justice well served. These individuals that prey upon the young and innocent should pay for their deeds. It is always a great privilege for the Camden County Sheriff’s Office to join forces with the Federal agencies to decrease human trafficking.”
Anyone who suspects instances of child sexual exploitation is encouraged to call 1-800-843-5678, which is operated by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in partnership with HSI, the FBI, and other law enforcement agencies.
Assistant United States Attorney Tania D. Groover is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States. For additional information, please contact the United States Attorney’s Office at (912) 652-4422.
Updated June 5, 2018
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