KITE, Ga. — A former owner of a tanning salon in south Georgia has been indicted on federal charges after he was allegedly found to be recording minors in the gym's tanning salon and at his home.
Walter Drew, 41, of Kite, Georgia was charged with six counts of producing child pornography, three counts of attempting to produce child pornography, six counts of possession of child pornography and one count of attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity.
The Department of Justice said Drew is the former owner of the now-closed Legacy Performance Center in Lyons, Georgia. Legacy Performance Center was a gym with a tanning center. The indictment accuses Drew of recording minors in his tanning salon between February 2021 and June 2023. The report states Drew produced or attempted to produce sexual explicit material of at least eight minors at the gym and at his home. Officials said he had those images in his possession.
Drew is also accused of attempting to entice one of the victims to engage in sexual activity to produce pornographic material.
The charge of attempted enticement of a minor carries a minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison if convicted. The charges of production or attempted production of child pornography carries a minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison if convicted. Drew will also be required to register as a sex offender if found guilty.
Investigators from Homeland Security Investigations are seeking information from anyone who might be a victim or may have more information about Drew or his former business. Those with information are asked to call the HSI Tip Line at 866-347-2423.
