Former Democrat Candidate Arrested in Trafficking Sting Operation

A former Democratic candidate for the Georgia State House has been arrested in a major trafficking sting that netted 19 suspects engaging in child exploitation through online platforms.

Key Takeaways

Carl Sprayberry, 32, a former Democratic candidate who ran for Georgia House seats in 2020 and 2024, was among 19 individuals arrested in “Operation Lights Out.”
The four-day operation targeted individuals using social media and dating websites to engage in explicit communication with children and arrange meetings.
Charges against the suspects include trafficking, child exploitation and more.
No children were physically harmed during the operation, which was conducted by multiple agencies including the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Officials urge parents to closely monitor their children’s online activities as a crucial protective measure against predators.

Multi-Agency Operation Targets Online Predators

The Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, conducted “Operation Lights Out” from April 25 to April 28, 2025. The four-day sting operation focused on identifying and apprehending individuals using social media applications and dating websites to exploit children. The operation required months of planning and resulted in the arrest of 19 suspects, including Carl Sprayberry, a former Democratic candidate who previously ran for Georgia House seats in District 134 in 2020 and District 139 in 2024, losing both races.

Law enforcement officials targeted individuals who were engaging in explicit communication with children online and arranging to meet with minors. The charges against the suspects include trafficking, child exploitation and more. The operation highlights the ongoing threat that online predators pose to children and the commitment of law enforcement agencies to combat these crimes.

Carl Sprayberry, a 32-year-old Columbus, Georgia, native and two-time Democratic candidate for the Georgia State House (District 134 in 2020 and District 139 in 2024), was among 19 suspects arrested.
The arrests were part of "Operation Lights Out," a four-day undercover operation…

— Jungleball2 (@JungleBall_2) April 30, 2025

No Children Harmed During Operation

Officials have emphasized that no children were physically harmed during the operation. Law enforcement officers worked in an undercover capacity to identify and apprehend potential predators before they could victimize actual children. The operation underscores the importance of proactive law enforcement efforts to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.

District Attorney Don Kelly emphasized the extensive preparation required for such operations and the critical importance of protecting children from predators. The collaboration between multiple agencies demonstrates the collective commitment to identifying and prosecuting individuals who seek to exploit vulnerable minors.

Parents Urged to Monitor Children’s Online Activities

Law enforcement officials have issued a strong call to parents to remain vigilant about their children’s online activities. With the increasing use of social media and online platforms by young people, the risk of exploitation by predators remains a significant concern. Parents are encouraged to know who their children are communicating with online and to monitor their digital interactions.

“I can’t stress enough for the parents – please monitor your children and what they do on the computers. It’s okay to be a nosey parent. Know who they’re speaking with because we’re not going to stop until they stop preying on our kids,” emphasized Sheriff Countryman..

Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman also emphasized the severity of crimes targeting children, describing the perpetrators as “sick individuals” who seek to deprive children of their rights to freedom, safety, and comfort. The arrests made during “Operation Lights Out” serve as a reminder of the ongoing need for both law enforcement vigilance and parental oversight to protect children from online predators under President Trump’s administration.