Ex-Cherokee Deputy Arrested In Federal Child Exploitation Probe

GORDON COUNTY, GA — A former Cherokee County deputy has been arrested in connection with a federal child exploitation investigation, authorities said Wednesday.

The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office said Steven Bunte is being held in the Gordon County Jail. Bunte was arrested Tuesday morning at his Gordon home, where he was also notified by Cherokee officials that he was fired from the sheriff's office, authorities said.

It is unknown what led to Bunte's arrest; however, Gordon County Jail records show Bunte was charged on suspicion of five counts of computer/electronic pornography and child exploitation.

Authorities said Bunte spent about five years with the sheriff's office and was assigned to the Adult Detention Center.

"Due to this being a federal investigation, we have no additional details to release; but in effort to be transparent, we felt the public should be made aware of the incident," authorities said.