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Report: Georgia man faced 17 child molestation-related charges — he now faces 47 more

A Commerce, Georgia, man who was being held in jail on 17 child molestation charges now faces more than 60 charges after prosecutors discovered more victims, the Athens Banner-Herald reported.

Steven Michael Blackmon, 55, was arrested last month on a 17-count indictment after he allegedly molested and photographed a boy who was younger than 11 years old, the newspaper reported at the time. On Tuesday, Blackmon was denied bond in Jackson County after prosecutors announced there were three more victims, all young boys.

The discovery of more victims led to 47 more child molestation and exploitation of children charges being filed against Blackmon, the Banner-Herald reported. Commerce police obtained the additional warrants Nov. 12.

Blackmon is accused of preying on young boys, with police seizing numerous photos and videos of the victims participating in sexual acts and posing nude, the newspaper reported. The amount of images led to the large amount of exploitation charges.

Police told the Banner-Herald that Blackmon volunteered for a baseball team, indicating it was one way he had access to the boys. Among the warrants, one alleged that Blackmon lured a boy into his home for a hunting trip, but he instead attempted to molest the child.

The alleged crimes date to March 2011 and continued through 2016, the newspaper reported.

After having his bond denied, he was transferred to the Gwinnett County Detention Center, where he remains. Jackson Blackmon Sheriff Janis Mangum told the Banner-Herald that Blackmon was moved “out of an abundance of caution.”

Anyone with information regarding Blackmon is asked to contact the Commerce Police Department at 706-335-3200.