Airline Employee Arrested in Coweta County Child Exploitation Case
Robert Wilkinson was taken into custody at his home after NCMEC flagged his computer, ending a multi-week investigation by local deputies.
By Julia Wang ·
Deputies arrested Robert Wilkinson in the driveway of his Coweta County home late last week following a national tip. The move concluded several weeks of investigation by the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit. Wilkinson works for a major airline in Atlanta.
Investigators waited outside the residence while the suspect returned from work. They relieved him of his safety glasses and airport credentials before placing him in custody. He faces one count of sexual exploitation of children.
The inquiry began when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children flagged Wilkinson’s computer. The agency reported the system contained child pornography or child sexual abuse material. Local officials confirmed the details through Cpl. Jacob Herbert of the Coweta County Sheriff's Office.
Authorities stated the alleged crimes were unrelated to Wilkinson’s job duties. They did not occur at his workplace. The arrest marked the end of the initial investigative phase for the unit.
Deputies seized all electronic devices from the home. Detectives plan to review the stored digital data. Investigators have not disclosed the specific files recovered during the search. They have also not indicated whether additional charges will follow the forensic review.
