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COLQUITT COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) – According to the Colquitt County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), they were contacted several weeks ago by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding a planned enforcement operation in Colquitt County.

As part of the operation, DHS requested a list of individuals in the county with outstanding warrants. CCSO provided a list of 11 individuals with active warrants for crimes against children, ranging from aggravated child molestation to cruelty to children.

The CCSO stated that the primary objective of the operation was to locate and serve warrants on these individuals. The operation began at 5:00 p.m. on May 12, 2025, and concluded around 9:30 p.m. the same evening.

Prior to the official start of the operation, information regarding the presence of DHS personnel began circulating on social media. As a result of this operational compromise, efforts to serve the warrants had to be halted early. The operation then transitioned into a concentrated patrol effort across Colquitt County.

Despite the change in strategy, the operation led to the successful arrest of 12 individuals in Colquitt County who had detainers placed on them by DHS.

Charges among those detained included:

• Child molestation
• False imprisonment
• Possession of methamphetamine
• Simple battery (family violence)

During the course of the operation, law enforcement also recovered one rifle and one pistol equipped with an extended magazine.

Additionally, a traffic stop on Circle Road for a moving violation escalated when nine individuals fled the vehicle on foot, prompting a large-scale law enforcement response. Backup units from participating agencies converged on the area, resulting in the arrest of two individuals.

Furthermore, six more individuals were arrested during the concentrated patrols conducted throughout Colquitt County. Their charges included:

• Possession of ecstasy
• Possession of marijuana
• Possession of methamphetamine
• Three counts of driving under the influence (DUI)
• Probation violation
• A hold for an active warrant out of Kentucky
• Various violations of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act

Agencies involved in the operation included the Department of Homeland Security, the CCSO Criminal Investigations Division and Special Operations Group, and the Georgia State Patrol (GSP)

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