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Sheriff's Office: Child Porn Seizure 'Possibly' the Largest in Cherokee

During a routine operation to verify the addresses of the county's 213 registered sex offenders, law enforcement officials made 16 arrests.

Calling it "possibly the largest seizure of child pornography in Cherokee County to date," sheriff's investigators found more than 100,000 electronic files of child porn on a Woodstock man's computers.

Richard Ensley, 37, is in the without bond on a charge of sexual exploitation of children after authorities conducted multi-agency sweeps Wednesday and Thursday to verify the addresses of the county's 213 registered sex offenders.

Sixteen people, including Ensley, who is not a registered sex offender, were arrested during the operation, said Lt. Jay Baker, spokesman for the .

Law enforcement officials were led to Ensley's Grove Park Lane home as part of ongoing investigation by the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Unit. 

Videos and still photos found on Ensley's computers contained images of infants as well as teenage girls no more than 16 years old, Baker said.

"He had multiple computers," he said. "Five laptops and desktops."

Officials expect to file additional charges against Ensley, Baker said.

Of the county's 213 registered sex offenders, authorities verified 176 addresses during the two-day operation. Two registered sex offenders moved without telling anyone. Thirty-two others are currently incarcerated. The remaining addresses will be verified over the next few days, Baker said.

Assisting the sheriff's office's criminal investigation division, VIPER Unit, Major Offender Task Force and Adult Detention Center deputies in the sweeps were the , , , and the probation and parole divisions of the Georgia Department of Corrections.

Four of the 16 individuals arrested Wednesday and Thursday were registered sex offenders. Their names are in bold in the following chart.

Name Charge(s) Fernandez, Heather Financial transaction card fraud, armed robbery Lillo, O.J. Violation of sex offender registry Piper, Kenneth Financial transaction card fraud, armed robbery Collins, Willie Financial transaction card fraud, armed robbery Thompson, Mason Financial transaction card fraud, armed robbery Wilson, Christopher Possession of Schedule I substance, violation of probation, held for Cobb Higgins, John Adam DUI/weaving over roadway Gossett, Edward Violation of probation Ensley, Richard Sexual exploitation of children Lipscomb, Dylan Failure to appear Wideman, Kevin Violation of probation/possession of drug-related objects Bertram, Tanner Held for Doraville Stewart, Preston Marijuana less than one ounce/possession of meth Constable, Christopher Possession less than one ounce Baxter, Jason  Possession of Schedule IV Phentermine/Possession of schedule IV Soma Bankston, Mark DUI/reckless driving

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Renee Wilson July 15, 2012 at 07:41 pm
I know im leaving now and I have appreciated your honesty and the fact you havent attacked me. I understand what everyone is saying but you know you cant turn your back your family. We are all he has.
Valerie Parkhurst July 16, 2012 at 12:52 am
You guys still going at this ? Your wrong Renee ..you will have a new family soon Its called RSOL "If "and or when your brother is convicted he will have a "come to Jesus moment" that will end his world as he has known it. With that comes restrictions, pesky little rules and regulations that will effect the entire family. The family after having been informed also of these adverse circumstances that will effectively turn their worlds upside down also will then start to blame the system. Its the systems fault (rolling eyes) soon you will be skipping down that yellow brick RSOL road to REFORM the LAWS concerning these hapless guys and their (inability to ingratiate back into the community) and their familes trials and tribulations they must adhere to also. Got it memorized. Dont respond back its not worth digging a deeper hole for yourself, plus I knew what you were gonna say before you said it. I am sorry for the situation regardless of what the above "ferel cat mothers" may think but it is what it is. Its no secret what the repercussions of these crimes are in this day and age, if your brother ends up on the Registry? You,He and your family should consider it a Christmas Present. Most of society think he should have hot Irons put in his eyes for these crimes.
R.L. Federalist July 16, 2012 at 12:58 am
Meh.
What a sad little troll you are. Sorry nobody loved you...it might have made you a better person.
Rodney Thrash (Editor) July 16, 2012 at 01:09 am
Please keep the discussion civil on this thread. Profanity and personal attacks violate the Patch Terms of Use. Thank you!
Valerie Parkhurst July 16, 2012 at 01:15 am
Federalist what you been here all day? Missed me I see..I'll bet you were just exploding waiting for that last little hit. My post was at 8:52 yours at 8:58..dont you have a family to feed or kittens or something? You, like Renee are very predictable ya know. I just hate being so damn right all the time..umm hot fudge Sunday sounds good..maybe you should crawl off the keyboard (waiting for me) and go spend time with whoever/whatever you do spend time with..or are you married to the internet?? Dont have to answer I really dont care..but I got 50 bucks says you wont be able to contain yourself. or the other numbnut you run with .
R.L. Federalist July 16, 2012 at 02:38 am
You caught me, Val. Since the family is away for the weekend and I'm all by my lonesome, I'm re-living old fantasies about bitter, emotionally-damaged women. It reminds me of my grandmother. You popped up at just the right time.
Since I apparently owe you $50, I have an idea. Every now and again, I'm down in South Florida. Next time I'm in town, maybe we can meet out on South Beach, hit Mangos and do some body shots off one of the bartenders. That would be a HOOT! I'll shoot you a message on "Patch" a couple weeks beforehand and we can make some plans!
Kary Sky 2 July 16, 2012 at 03:02 am
Val you should consider counseling the families on the grief process and how they can be supportive without being an enabler. You obviously have the knowledge of how these situations work. Your time with the families would be better spent advising as opposed to attacking. I am not a "numbnut" as you have suggested, nor do I "run with" anyone. I am my own individual with my own ideas and thought process. Once again I do applaud you on your life's work of making sure people are aware of the predators in their neighborhood. Your delivery is offensive and drives people away from your extensive knowledge on the subject. You should consider educating yourself on family grief counseling as that would be a more productive manner in which to relay your message. That being said this is NOT Florida and sex offenders are well monitored in Cherokee County. I previously posted a link in which you can see how the local police do surprise checks on those offenders. But I also think people should know who their neighbors are and should regularly check the registry
http://sheriffalerts.com/cap_main.php?office=54087 FYI my previous reference to "Just Busted" is about a local news paper in which book in photos are published. I do find it awesome that you were armed but did you already have a gun or did you have to go get it from your car... in Georgia someone passing out fliers would likely have already been armed & there would have likely only been one person capable to testify at trial.
Kary Sky 2 July 16, 2012 at 03:13 am
Quite Frankly if he is convicted I doubt he will see the outside of cinder-block walls ever again. I looked it up each count carries a 5-10 year sentence. I sure hope the sitting DA doesn't screw this one up.
Kary Sky 2 July 16, 2012 at 03:17 am
sorry typo 5-20
Kary Sky 2 July 16, 2012 at 03:33 am
I think also people are forgetting to applaud the investigator who discovered the situation and took action quickly (anyone who has ever lived through a police investigation understands that finding 100,000 pieces of evidence in a week is amazing). I have not seen where they published his name but I will surely send him some donuts (funny joke on awkward subject). I would like to see if the origins of the photos can be located and arrested also. Someone took those pictures/videos of children. I find it impossible to understand how anyone could be aroused by images of a child. It's very sad 100,000 images likely means close to 100,000 children abused.
Valerie Parkhurst July 16, 2012 at 10:54 am
Actually Kary the comment about him seeing the outside of cinderblock walls is usually woefully disappointing to the public . Granted I am in Florida, so I am more familiar with their sentencing laws. I am in Georgia only during Quail Season and this is the last subject I try to engage in. The 5-10 is about standard in most states. With 10 being the maximum for First time offenders depending on the amount of the images/ages of victims and or after the judge decides whether he/she will lose their lunch after viewing the photos. But then (drum roll) the system kicks in, That old must serve 85% of sentence is a myth and even more so today with the cost of incarceration. Lots of weasel clauses in that. Someone above made fun of my "google alerts" but they are priceless tools in following the progress or lack of when it comes to bad guys. (priceless) when you go to vote for judges who appear on your ballots also. By the way "georgia rising" is the group you want to keep an EYE on in your state it is RSOL and they are very active in (attempting) to diminish sentences and abolish the registry and are firmly committed to letting offenders go back underground. I hope my delivery was not too harsh ..I love Georgia, its very dear to me. But only the citizens are going to truly clean it up. (as in every other state)
Kary Sky 2 July 16, 2012 at 11:50 am
I missed your google alerts. How does that work? I already regularly check the registry to see who is in my area. And I just looked at the Sheriff's Department website they have some sort of program called ICAC? http://www.cherokeega-sheriff.org then under the crimes against children section. I hope if he did knowingly have those files the judge "throws the book" at him. If he just moved from Cobb County I don't understand why they didn't catch him if he has files from as far back as 1995?
Kary Sky 2 July 16, 2012 at 12:00 pm
Ok so then googling ICAC Georgia led me to this http://www.gaicac.us/GCTF_Info.htm
Valerie Parkhurst July 16, 2012 at 12:26 pm
www.google.com/alert
There you can enter any name or combination of words and it will ask you "where to be alerted" then just enter your e-mail address. I probably have 30-40 entered..any topic you want. The two that are important though and will disturb your sense of peace is alert for "Sex Offender Arrest", "Repeat sex offender Arrest" and "Georgia Sex offenders". Mon mornings are tough, its almost like the bad guys have coupons for offending for the week-end. The one redeeming factor is most states recieved "huge" amounts of funding for their Internet task forces in the last year.
Kary Sky 2 July 16, 2012 at 12:35 pm
Cool I didn't know you could do that with google. The ICAC thing is interesting I saw it on "Criminal Minds" but did not know they were doing it locally. I thought it was just television melodrama.
Valerie Parkhurst July 16, 2012 at 01:00 pm
Then now this is important ..when the alert comes up you may see many articles that allow you to comment (like this forum) you can sign in easily with Facebook but and this is the important part. Make your Facebook Private and never use your self or your children as a profile pic. Offenders are notorious for dissecting your life (as others are above when or if you engage in these verbal wars. They will spend hours on you and run it around the web. Me personally, I dont care anymore, I hate their guts and they hate mine ..I want them to know who is going to tear their world upside down . But you may not want to expose your self as much. Child molestors are harmless to you personally, oh they talk a big game but they dont have the guts to confront you thats why they prey on kids or the defenseless, "rapist are entire different animals" I learned that one Sunny afternoon..They hate women so stay armed, stay alert and more important watch out for other women where ever you are. But if you do get into these flame wars? Minimize your exposure.
Kary Sky 2 July 16, 2012 at 02:25 pm
What ever happened to that guy who ran to Canada last year? He had pictures of kids and such? I wonder if he has been to trial yet. And if he has how many years did he get?
Kary Sky 2 July 17, 2012 at 11:06 am
I will keep that in mind. Thank you for your insight.
GOD BLESS ALL July 17, 2012 at 01:12 pm
I just want to say GOD is and always will be our TRUE judge in everything.. my 14 yr old DAUGHTER was getting POT from a 32 yr old man I never Knew this UNTIL DFACS called me and came to see me. I called the Police and they sent out a Child Detective which She gave up her cell phone for a month so they could download everything on IT, HAS he been ARRESTED OR HAS ANYONE GOT BACK TO ME ON THIS HECK NO>> A MAN GIVES A COUPLE OF 14 YRS OLD GIRLS POT I WOULD SAY HE WOULD WANT SOMETHING IN RETURN AND THATS WHAT I HAVE TOLD MY DAUGHTER. NOW I KEEP A VERY CLOSE EYE ON HER SHE IS NOW ALWAYS WITH A TRUSTED ADULT. I KNOW THIS POST DOESNT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS TOPIC BUT CHEROKEE COUNTY NEEDS TO CHECK OUT THIS ACWORTH MAN CAUSE EVERYTIME I THINK ABOUT THIS GUY I COULD JUST GO TO HIS HOUSE MYSELF AND TELL HIM HOW I FEEL BUT SEE I WILL GO TO JAIL IF I SAY ANYTHING TO HIM. BECAUSE IT IS HERE SAY BUT ITS NOT.. THANKS FOR LETTING ME VENT.. GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU..
crystal July 20, 2012 at 10:10 am
U would not believe the sick people out their who r not even on a sex offender list. He is sick and needs mental help, monster is a perfect word to describe scum like this. Bring back public hangings to ALL crimes against children and I bet things would change!
WhoCares August 6, 2012 at 12:26 pm
Has anyone heard anything on this sicko yet? Me personally I would like an update, I wanna know if he is still in jail, if he got out, or if he has even gone to court yet! I love how the papers and news publish but can't manage to keep anyone updated as to the situation.
Valerie Parkhurst September 2, 2012 at 11:28 am
Ensley, who reportedly works from home as a computer analyst, moved from Cobb to Cherokee and has lived at the Towne Lake residence for six years.
Police found more than 100,000 images and videos of child pornography on his computers; they have been confiscated. It looks like he was just collecting them, as well as trading them,” Maj. Ron Hunton over the Criminal Investigation Division said, adding that it is too early in the investigation to determine if Ensley made a profit over trading explicit images of children.
Valerie Parkhurst September 2, 2012 at 11:43 am
He's been collecting it for quite some time," said Maj. Ron Hunton. "It looks like he's been collecting it as well as trading it over the internet."
The sheriff's office is now investigating whether Ensley had direct access to children. They are also trying to identify the females in the photos and videos. "We will do everything we can do with this complicated of a case to make sure this gentleman serves every day he deserves," said Garrison. "In my opinion, he should never step foot outside of prison again for an act this heinous." Damn I hate being so right all the time..wonder if Renee is so sure he is innocent now???
akell September 19, 2012 at 01:15 pm
nasty people. and why is that one guy smiling? I would shatter his teeth. truly disgusting.
akell September 19, 2012 at 01:17 pm
you are a bad parent, plus your daughter has been getting banged for a while..... WAKE UP!
akell September 19, 2012 at 01:18 pm
yo mama
akell September 19, 2012 at 01:19 pm
of shut up
akell September 19, 2012 at 01:20 pm
Shut the F UP
akell September 19, 2012 at 01:20 pm
and cats
akell September 19, 2012 at 01:20 pm
tru dat

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