Former Cherokee County Deputy Sheriff Stephen Michael Bunte was sentenced on April 16 to 15 years in federal prison for enticement of a minor and receipt of child sexual abuse material, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address child exploitation and uphold public trust in law enforcement officers. The prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative aimed at protecting children from online abuse.
“Law enforcement officers take an oath to serve and protect, and Bunte ignored that oath by sexually exploiting children and preying on vulnerable victims overseas,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Predatory conduct will not be tolerated, and those who commit these crimes will be prosecuted and excised from the community.” Hertzberg holds the position of United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, according to the official website.
Steven N. Schrank, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama, said: “Law enforcement officers are sworn to protect the most vulnerable among us, and the public trusts them to uphold that responsibility. Stephen Bunte failed to honor his oath and betrayed that trust by exploiting children instead of protecting them. His actions are reprehensible, and HSI is committed to ensuring that anyone who violates their oath and preys on the innocent is held fully accountable—regardless of their position or title.” Calhoun Police Department Assistant Chief Lt. Col. Ken Carson added: “Working alongside Homeland Security Investigations to keep children in our community and communities around the world safe is always a priority… It gives detectives with the Calhoun Police Department great satisfaction to assist with this case and have a successful outcome for the child victims involved.”
According to information presented in court, agents investigating international child sex trafficking networks identified communication between Bunte—then living in Calhoun—and a trafficker based overseas between May 2023 and March 2024. During this period, Bunte exchanged more than 14,000 messages with the trafficker, received at least 35 images involving three minor victims aged six, ten, and fourteen years old.
Bunte pleaded guilty on November 4 last year before being sentenced by U.S. District Judge William M. Ray II; he must also serve fifteen years supervised release after his prison term ends as well as register as a sex offender.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia serves as principal federal law enforcement agency across north Georgia mountains through Atlanta suburbs bordering Alabama/Carolinas—a region serving about 7.5 million residents according to its official website. The office enforces criminal laws including threats such as terrorism or human trafficking while collaborating with law enforcement partners nationally/internationally as reported by its official site.
Project Safe Childhood marshals resources from federal/state/local levels against online exploitation; more information can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
