Dade Sheriff Ray Cross and Trenton Police Chief Christy Smith called another brief press conference on Thursday concerning their ongoing investigation into "the creation and trade of sexually explicit photos of adults and minors” at Dade County High School--and, as was the case at their first presser last week, didn't say much.
“There’s not a lot of progress we can release information on right now,” said the sheriff.
But this time, Sheriff Cross did identify the "federal and state" law enforcement agencies helping with the investigation that he referred to at the first press conference on Dec. 12: the NCIS, or Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and GBI, or Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The GBI frequently helps local law enforcement with serious crimes, but the NCIS, though technically a civilian organization, investigates crimes involving Navy and Marine Corps service members, suggesting some tie-in with an individual or individual serving in the military.
And though the two local law enforcement heads had no arrests to announce, Chief Smith hinted at the scope of the operation, saying over 50 potential victims and perpetrators had been interviewed and numerous warrants served and evidence seized, including computer hard drives and other electronic media.
But as to specifics, Sheriff Cross again stressed that parting with more information would compromise the investigation.
So why another press conference? Perhaps to address rampageous public curiosity about the matter, lively gossip and even the creation of a Facebook page entitled Dade Theories and Discussions About Explicit Photos.
And, Chief Smith stressed, in hope that more individuals affected by the matter will come forth and be interviewed. Chief Smith again promised that young people who participated in the trading of photos would not be judged or criticized and urged them to call her or the sheriff's office.
Those numbers are: Dade Sheriff's Office, (706) 657-3233, and Trenton Police Department, (706) 657-4167
