A LaFayette man has been convicted and sentenced in a child exploitation case. Seventy-four-year-old Michael Forker was found guilty by a Walker County jury of child molestation, sexual exploitation of children, and multiple counts of invasion of privacy. Authorities say the case began after a juvenile relative discovered a hidden camera in a bathroom vent and reported it to school officials. Investigators later found hundreds of illegal recordings at Forker’s home. Forker was sentenced to sixty-five years in prison, with fifty-eight to be served. Prosecutors say the sentence ensures he will never harm another child.
One Republican candidate has dropped out of the race to replace Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. Christian Hurd announced he is ending his congressional campaign, saying he does not see a realistic path to victory and does not want to split the Republican vote. Hurd says dividing GOP support could give Democrats an advantage. Instead, Hurd now plans to run for Georgia House District Two, where he will challenge incumbent Steve Tarvin.
The Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing teenager. Sixteen-year-old Joshua Ryan Slingerland was last seen in Catoosa County during the early morning hours of January 31st, sometime between midnight and three a.m. Authorities say Joshua may be in or around the East Ridge area. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Clay Thompson at the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office. If Joshua is seen, call your local 9-1-1 center immediately.
High School basketball this week sees LaFayette visiting Northwest Whitfield tonight. Girls tip off at 6. Boys at 7:30pm. Ramblers are on the road again Friday night when they face off against Adairsville. We’ll have that game for you here on Georgia 93-7 with the pre-game show starting at 6:50pm. Gordon Lee is also on the road as they visit Coosa tonight. Ridgeland is off until Thursday when they visit Hixson.