Two 14-year-old girls walking along a Peachtree City golf-cart path near Flat Creek Golf Course on Monday evening told police a man exposed himself to them, and officers say they had a suspect in custody within hours. Peachtree City police arrested 23-year-old Jaden Gates shortly after the report, and he now faces multiple felony and misdemeanor counts tied to the encounter. The case has put a fresh spotlight on safety along the city's extensive multi-use path system, and investigators say the probe is still active.
Police say juveniles' video helped ID suspect
According to The Citizen, Lt. Brad Milstein said the teens recorded video of the incident and captured key identifiers, including a golf-cart number, that helped officers zero in on a suspect in roughly 30 minutes. Milstein told the outlet the man first struck up a conversation with the girls on the cart path, then the behavior escalated and he exposed himself. Police located Gates in Peachtree City that same evening and took him into custody.
Booking records show charges and bond
Fayette County jail records list the suspect as Jaden Hunter Gates, 23, booked on Monday night and charged with two counts of enticing a child for indecent purposes, two counts of cruelty to children and public indecency, according to the county's inmate lookup. The per-charge bond amounts on the booking page add up to a $72,500 bond. Local station WSB-TV also reported the arrest and cited those jail records. Court proceedings are not yet complete, and authorities say the case remains under investigation.
Police praise teens, urge reporting
Police told The Citizen that the girls "demonstrated strong situational awareness by obtaining video evidence and documenting key identifying information," which investigators say was critical to the quick arrest. Milstein emphasized that anyone who sees suspicious behavior on the paths should call 911 and, when it is safe, try to note identifying details that can help officers track people down later. The department said it is still reviewing the incident and will pursue whatever charges are appropriate.
Legal note
Gates' booking entry lists both felony and misdemeanor counts, but those are allegations and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. The Fayette County inmate roster and local reporting indicate the case remains active and that future court dates will be scheduled through the county's system, according to Fayette County jail records.
Peachtree City's multi-use path network is a daily route for walkers, cyclists and golf-cart users, and police say this arrest is a reminder that people should stay alert on those paths. Officials urged residents to be aware of their surroundings, keep phones handy and report any concerning encounters to law enforcement right away.
