SEX OFFENDER CHARGED FOR PHOTOGRAPHING MINORS

James Edward Claxton, 69, of Douglas, GA

On March 20, 2025, the Sex Offender Unit of the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office interviewed Registered Sex Offender 69 - year - old  James Edward Claxton of Douglas while investigating another case. During this interview, detectives examined Claxton’s cellphone and found multiple photos of minors. When asked about the children in the images, Claxton initially claimed he didn’t know how the photos ended up on his phone. He later identified the children, prompting detectives to contact the parents of the minors. This led to the discovery that Claxton had violated Georgia law O.C.G.A. 42-1-18 which states “No registered sex offender shall intentionally photograph a minor without the consent of the minor's parent or guardian. (c) Any registered offender who knowingly violates this code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature”.

As a result of this violation, Claxton was arrested and taken to the Coffee County Jail, where he will face charges for intentionally photographing a minor without consent of the minor's parent or guardian which could result in a prison sentence ranging from one to five years.