A Helen man has been charged with criminal attempt to commit child molestation following a joint investigation by the White County Sheriff's Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
William Barrett Hilsman, 52, was arrested July 14 by GBI’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit (CEACC) as part of a proactive undercover online investigation, said Nelly Miles, deputy director of the GBI Office of Public Affairs.
Hilsman allegedly arranged to meet who he believed was a 14-year-old girl for the purpose of sex, according to White County Chief Deputy Bob Ingram.
When he arrived for the pre-arranged meeting, Hilsman was arrested without incident and was booked into the White County Jail.
Bond for Hilsman was set at $10,000.