Columbus photographer one of two charged with sexual exploitation of children

The Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two people in Columbus on charges of sexual exploitation of children, according to a Facebook post Thursday from Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman.

The post says Ritchie White and Pedrozo Ricardo were arrested and each was charged with 10 counts of sexual exploitation of children.

Countryman confirmed to the Ledger-Enquirer White is a Columbus photographer.

These arrests come after two search warrants were executed in Muscogee County as part of a partnership between the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office’s Collaborative Intelligence Group and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the post says.

“A one-day operation was conducted that focused on identifying individuals possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material,” the post says.

White and Ricardo were transported to the Muscogee County Jail without incident, according to the post.

The Ledger-Enquirer asked Countryman whether the charges were related to White’s professional capacity as a photographer. Countryman’s response was the investigation is ongoing and additional charges will be brought against White.

This story was originally published April 17, 2025 at 4:54 PM.

Kelby Hutchison

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Kelby Hutchison is the breaking news reporter for the Ledger-Enquirer. Originally from Dothan, Alabama, Kelby grew up frequently visiting Columbus to eat at Country’s BBQ in the old Greyhound bus station and at Clearview BBQ on River Road. He graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.A. in criminal justice and a M.A. in journalism. During his studies, Kelby specialized in community journalism.