EVANS, Ga. () – A man from Columbia County has been sentenced to time in federal prison this week for the possession of child pornography, as reported by the United States Department of Justice on Friday, Sept. 26.

Perry Jason Ward, 27, of Evans, Ga., was sentenced to 84 months for possessing images of sexual exploitation of children.

Ward has been directed by the judge to register as a sex offender, pay $96,000 in restitution, along with $200 in special assessments, and he must undergo 15 years of supervised release once his prison sentence is completed.

According to court documents, Ward used the internet to obtain 45,792 images and 4,609 videos containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office obtained multiple CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and carried out a search warrant at Ward’s home in October of 2023. It is said that Ward faces more charges for other actions in Columbia County Superior Court.

“Crimes that harm children are among the most unsettling cases we handle,” stated FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown. “This sentence demonstrates our dedication to tracking down individuals involved in child sexual abuse material and making sure they face justice. We will persist in collaborating with our law enforcement allies to safeguard children and eliminate predators from our neighborhoods.”