A local man who’s a registered sex offender was recently arrested for one newer alleged sexual offense, according to an Aug. 4 news alert from the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office.

Joshua West, 34, of Dawsonville was arrested by DCSO on June 30, 2023 and charged with sexual exploitation of children. DCSO’s Crime Against Persons Unit or CAP Unit conducts investigations involving the sexual exploitation of children and other violent crimes. CAP Unit investigators are affiliates of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, the agency’s social media post stated. 

DCSO Sgt. Matthew Blackstock added that the CAP unit works within DCSO’s Criminal Investigations Division.

“West is a registered sex offender who was previously convicted of rape and aggravated child molestation,” DCSO’s post stated. “During the investigation, investigators located and seized electronic devices which contained the exploitative material. The devices are still being forensically examined for further evidence in the ongoing investigation.”

“We are proud of our investigators and especially for their efforts to pursue those who commit crimes against our children,” said Dawson County Sheriff Jeff Johnson. “As always, we plead with our parents, grandparents, caregivers and others to closely monitor your children’s activities online. We must do all we can to protect and safeguard our children against those who would cause them harm.”

“Sexual offenders are posted on [DCSO’s] website, so we do ask that people familiarize themselves with the list,” Blackstock said. 

An updated offenders list is available through the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office website at https://www.dawsoncountysheriff.org.