In a shocking development, Carl Sprayberry, a former Georgia State House candidate known for his extreme rhetoric against President Donald Trump, has been detained in a significant child sex trafficking operation.

According to Breitbart, a four-day operation by Georgia law enforcement led to Carl Sprayberry's arrest among 19 others for engaging in child sex trafficking.

Carl Sprayberry, 32, who unsuccessfully ran for a seat in Georgia's District 139 in November 2024, was apprehended as part of "Operation Lights Out". This law enforcement effort was designed to combat child sex trafficking and was operational from April 24 to April 28, 2025.

The operation was a multi-agency collaboration led by the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), and the Muscogee County Sheriff's Office. These agencies focused on tracking and arresting individuals involved in sexually explicit communications with minors, arranging sexual acts with minors, and traveling with the intent of engaging in sexual activities with minors.

Sprayberry had previously drawn attention on X, formerly Twitter, where in February 2025, he posted outrageous comments against President Donald Trump, advocating for violence and even assassination. His extreme statements included calls for Trump to face assassination if Congress failed to act against him, citing the Second Amendment.

Focus Shifts From Politics to Serious Crime

Despite Sprayberry's political ambitions, his recent activities have led to more severe concerns regarding his behavior beyond political statements. The charges against him involve allegations far removed from the realm of politics, centered primarily around endangering children.

Along with Sprayberry, the sting operation also led to the arrest of several other individuals from different backgrounds and professions, who were allegedly involved in similar illicit activities. Among those arrested were Marquise Anderson, a truck driver from Alabama; Roger Burkes, an aircraft inspector from Columbus, Georgia; and Javious Davenport, a forklift operator from LaGrange, Georgia. Each faces charges related to child exploitation.

Task forces aimed at targeting individuals attempting to purchase sexual services from minors were key components of this operation. This focus underscores a relentless pursuit to protect children from exploitation and bring perpetrators to justice.

Community Response and Law Enforcement Pledge

Sheriff Greg Countryman issued a stern warning and plea to parents following the arrests. He emphasized the importance of vigilant parental oversight to prevent children from falling prey to online predators. Countryman's message highlights the disturbing reality that these perpetrators are willing to travel extensively to exploit children.

Countryman affirmed his agency's commitment to targeting these severe crimes, stating, "We take these crimes against children very seriously. It will be our focus to find these predators so they may be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

Community reactions have been a mix of shock and relief. Many are disturbed by the severity and nature of the crimes, especially involving a former political candidate, while others feel reassured by the proactive actions of law enforcement agencies.

Political Career Overshadowed by Criminal Charges

The future of Sprayberry's political aspirations seems bleak in light of these charges. His previous public statements, which already cast a dark cloud over his political career, are now compounded by allegations of involvement in a heinous crime network focused on child exploitation.

The broader implications of such high-profile arrests underscore the ongoing societal struggle against child exploitation and trafficking. Operations like "Lights Out" serve as critical efforts in law enforcement's commitment to eradicating this malaise from our communities.

As the case against Sprayberry and his co-defendants unfolds, it will serve as a poignant reminder of the vigilance needed to protect the most vulnerable members of society from such exploitation.