Editor’s Note: In light of all charges being dropped against Ms. Fulford, NCST has redacted the text of the previous charges against Ms. Fulford in our previous coverage across the platform, including redacting the charges from the CCSO’s April 7th, 2025 statement on the investigation. In addition, links to our previous coverage relating only to Fulford ( other coverage regarding additional suspects in this investigation remain unchanged ) have been changed to direct to this overview.
Charges Against Patricia Smith Fulford Dropped
On April 30th, the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office released the following statement regarding an on-going investigation.
On Tuesday, April 29th, 2025, Investigators with the Criminal Investigation Unit were made aware of new information provided to the Coweta County District Attorney’s Office. This new information resulted in the District Attorney’s Office’s decision not to proceed with the prosecution of Ms. Fulford. Investigators then contacted the Magistrate Judge who signed the warrants and requested that the warrants be recalled.
The recalled warrants do not affect the other defendants charged in this case.
This remains an active investigation, and due to the nature of the charges and the ages of those charged, limited information can be released at this time.
The Coweta County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to conducting thorough and impartial investigations for the betterment of our community.
Investigation Overview
NCST reported on the investigation after records showed that Fulford had surrendered herself to the Coweta County Jail and been booked on numerous charges. At this time we reached out to the CCSO for comment regarding the investigation and received the following on April 7th, 2025.
In December of 2024, The Coweta County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct involving a juvenile. During the course of this investigation, Investigators with the Criminal Investigation Unit developed probable cause to charge Patricia Fulford with [ Charges have been redacted by NCST ].
Mrs. Fulford turned herself into the Coweta County Detention Center on Monday, April 7, 2025 and is currently awaiting first appearance.
A 15-year-old was charged with Contributing to Delinquency of a Minor (Misdemeanor), Child Sexual Exploitation (Felony), and Sodomy (Felony)
A second 15-year-old was charged with Contributing to Delinquency of a Minor (Misdemeanor) and Child Sexual Exploitation (Felony).
This is currently an active investigation involving several individuals and additional charges are possible.
On April 21st, booking records showed another booking stemming from the December 2024 incident. William Nathan Branson, 17, of Grantville, was booked on multiple charges regarding the incident, as well as numerous drug related charges from items located during his arrest.
As of the April 30th statement above, the CCSO continues to state that the investigation is on-going with additional charges and suspects possible.
Current Suspects Charged in the Investigation
As of April 30th, the following suspects are known to have been charged regarding the incident and per the CCSO statement released the same date, their charges have not changed.
Listed below are the suspects and charges ( only charges relating to this incident are listed ).
- Unidentified 15 yr old suspect.
- Booked on an unknown date
- Child Sexual Exploitation (F)
- Contributing to the Delinquency of Dependency of a Minor (M)
- Booked on an unknown date
- Unidentified 15 yr old suspect.
- Booked on an unknown date
- Child Sexual Exploitation (F)
- Sodomy (F)
- Contributing to the Delinquency of Dependency of a Minor (M)
- Booked on an unknown date
- William Nathan Branson, 17, of Grantville.
- Booked on April 21st, 2025
- Trafficking a Person for Sexual Servitude (F)
- Contributing to the Delinquency of Dependency of a Minor (M)
- Booked on April 21st, 2025
Record Restrictions
As referenced in the CCSO’s April 30th statement, due to the age of some of the suspects, as well as the types of charges, the records of their arrest and many details of the case are highly restricted under state law.
As of now it looks like the two 15 yr old suspects that have been charged, are being charged as juveniles. This could change with time, however their age would still require heavy restrictions. The only real change would be their cases being heard in Superior Court as opposed to the Juvenile Court where proceedings are not public or subject to open records request.
Any future arrest of minor’s relating to the case will only be public if the information is released by the CCSO, while arrest of suspects aged 17 years or older and charged as an adult will be public information and subject to open records request allowing us to see their bookings.
On-going Investigation and Updates
Due to the restrictions above, as well as the current state of the cases ( un-indicted ), little confirmable information is known about the December 2024 incident that is at the heart of this investigation. Until such time as an adult suspect ( currently Branson ) is indicted it’s unlikely any new information will become available and even then it will be limited. The next milestone that would provide further insight would be a trial.
NCST will continue to work with the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office to request and publish any available updates on the investigation and underlying incident.