Two Blackshear men, including a former volunteer fireman, have been arrested on two separate child molestation cases.
Sheriff Ramsey Bennett called the cases “ugly”.
“We’ve had a couple of these cases recently and I just want to say to any individuals out there who think they are going to abuse, mistreat and harm children just know that we are going to find you and we are coming after you,” the sheriff said.
• Caleb Austin Trusdell, 30, was arrested Tuesday, November 26, and charged with six counts of felony child molestation, four counts of aggravated child molestation and enticing a child for indecent purposes.
Pierce County Sheriff’s Office’s Aggressive Criminal Enforcement (ACE) Unit Investigator Wayne Mercer and Deputy Blaine Mercer responded to a report that led to Trusdell’s arrest.
• Mathew Phillip Fillyaw, 58, was arrested Wednesday, December 4, and charged with felony - grooming a child, child Molestation and enticing a child for indecent purposes.
This is still an ongoing investigation and if anyone has any information, please contact the ACE Unit Division.
Fillyaw was formerly a volunteer fireman, but has not been with the department for a while now.
Lieutenant Brad Justice and ACE Unit Lieutenant Jacob Winters responded to an area in Pierce County. After initial contact and gathering evidence, a search warrant was obtained and executed and Fillyaw was arrested.
In other arrests:
• Avery James Courson, 29, was arrested Tuesday, Nov. 26, and charged with felony - cruelty to children second degree; misdemeanor simple battery-family violence and three counts of cruelty to children third degree.
Sergeant Bruce Burrows and Deputy Travis Courson responded to a residence. After initial contact, ACE Unit Lieutenant Jacob Winters was requested to assist. The investigation led to Courson’s arrest.
• Stephen Lamar Fedrick, 36, was arrested Friday, Dec. 6, and charged with felony - possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine, misdemeanor - possession of marijuana less than an ounce and possession of drug related objects.
ACE Unit Investigator Greg Nettles conducted a traffic stop resulting in Fedrick’s arrest.
K-9 Sergeant Michael James responded to an area in Pierce County leading to Bourey-Ward’s arrest.
• Crystal Lynn Bourey-Ward, 44, was arrested Saturday, December 7, and charged with felony - possession of methamphetamine, misdemeanor - possession and use of drug related objects, giving false name, address, birth date to law enforcement and felony probation warrant.
Sheriff Ramsey Bennett encourages anyone with information on any illegal drug and/or criminal activity to contact the A.C.E. Unit at 912-807-2677, TIP Line at 912-807-8477, or download the free Pierce County Sheriff's app and send an anonymous tip.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Blackshear Times receives the Sheriff’s Report from the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office. We are not at liberty to change any facts in the reports that are sent to us. If there is an error in the report, contact the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office.
