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Published Friday, June 26, 2009 in Local

Additional sex charges filed against Coweta man

By Elizabeth Richardson

The Times-Herald

A Coweta County resident who was reportedly using the Internet and his cell phone to send obscene material to a 15-year-old now faces additional sex charges after another alleged victim has been identified.

Timothy David Schwiederek, 27 -- a janitor at the Fulton County Airport at Charlie Brown Field -- is now charged with two counts of electronically furnishing obscene material to a minor, violating the computer child exploitation act, rape, false imprisonment, kidnapping and child molestation, according to Investigator Jason Fetner of the Coweta County Sheriff's Office.

Schwiederek had a preliminary hearing in Coweta Magistrate Court Wednesday morning. The judge found probable cause to bind the case over to Superior Court. Since Magistrate Court can't set bond on these charges, Schwiederek and his attorney, Bill Stemberger, will have to petition Superior Court for bond.

For now, he remains at the Coweta County Jail without bond.

On June 4, a 15-year-old Coweta victim approached her mother after she began receiving inappropriate, sexual images and text messages on her cell phone and through the social networking site MySpace. The girl's mother contacted the sheriff's office, and it launched an investigation.

By having the girl communicate with the perpetrator in a controlled environment, investigators were able to observe as the offender sent more inappropriate images, a picture of his face and his name, said Fetner. He also stated that he planned to visit the victim's house.

Fetner confirmed Schwiederek's identity using information from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Fetner cross-referenced the offender's picture on the victim's cell phone to his MySpace picture and his Department of Motor Vehicles photo. Fetner found Schwiederek's address and obtained an arrest warrant for electronically furnishing obscene material to a minor.

Investigators set up a sting at the victim's house on June 6 and sent text messages to Schwiederek using the victim's phone. When he failed to show up at her residence, police went to his home -- 26 Price Road -- where they arrested him and executed a search warrant, according to Fetner.

During a search of the residence, investigators found notebooks that contained dozens of women's names with phone numbers and e-mail addresses. They also found pornography. Authorities seized his cell phones and the family computer and sent them to the GBI crime lab.

According to Fetner, a cursory check of the electronic items taken from Schwiederek's home turned up more relevant evidence.

Schwiederek was interviewed by police, at which time he admitted to sending sexual pictures and text messages to girls. As a result of the interview, he was charged with violating the computer child exploitation act. He also admitted during the interview to having sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old five years ago when he was 22.

Fetner said authorities tracked down the victim Schwiederek claimed to have had sex with five years ago, and she was "adamant that it was rape." Fetner charged him with rape, false imprisonment and kidnapping.

Fetner discovered that Lieutenant Tate Washington of the Newnan Police Department was conducting a lateral investigation involving Schwiederek. In the city case, Schwiederek was sending pictures of his genitalia to another 15-year-old. Washington charged Schwiederek with an additional count of electronically furnishing obscene material to a minor as a result of his investigation.

Fetner then discovered that a bill passed by the Georgia Legislature was signed into law on May 5 amending the state's child molestation statute. It now states that sending inappropriate pictures via electronic devices to minors constitutes child molestation.

"Our primary concern at this point is to locate and meet with any other potential victims or witnesses that may have information about this case," said Fetner. "Based on [Schwiederek's] own admissions and the evidence found, it is readily apparent that there are additional victims out there."

Fetner said the victims are not limited to the Newnan area, and one was identified as far away as Idaho. Schwiederek frequently chats online under the nickname "Tater," according to the investigator. He was able to initiate contact with the 15-year-old victim because she posted her cell phone number on her MySpace page.

Fetner had words of warning to parents.

"You don't know what your kids are doing on MySpace and their cell phones unless you look," he said. "When in doubt, check. And if you have concerns, call us."

Anyone with information can contact the sheriff's office, 770-253-1502.