Florida man arrested for trying to meet teen in Georgia

A high-ranking member of the Georgia Air National Guard was arrested last week for sexual exploitation, according to court documents.

Lieutenant Colonel Willie Newson, 47, of Celebration, Fla., was arrested Tuesday at Marietta hotel by the FBI Metro Atlanta Child Exploitation task force. A criminal warrant states Newson chatted online with an undercover detective posing as a 14-year-old boy discussing meeting for oral sex at the hotel.

When Newson was arrested at the hotel he agreed where he agreed to meet what he thought was the teen, according to court records. He was then taken into custody.

Newson was booked into the Cobb County Jail on charges of child exploitation charges. He was released the next day on $22,220 bond.

The Georgia Air National Guard issued the following statement about Newson following his arrest:

“Lt. Col. Newson’s alleged actions do not reflect the values we uphold in the Georgia National Guard.”

Newson was placed on leave until the investigation is completed.