GAINESVILLE, Ga. – A Gainesville man is facing felony charges after a months-long investigation stemming from a Snapchat video depicting sexual abuse of an animal. The Hall County Sheriff’s Office arrested 22-year-old Justin Nicholas Watson on Friday, September 12, following a probe initiated by the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office.
The case highlights the growing intersection of animal cruelty and digital platforms, raising concerns about the rapid dissemination of illegal content and the challenges law enforcement faces in tracking and prosecuting such offenses.Bestiality is a felony in georgia, and the distribution of obscene material carries misdemeanor penalties. The investigation began in May with reports of the abuse and subsequent sharing of the video.
According to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office, Watson is accused of sexually abusing a canine and then distributing the video to at least three individuals via Snapchat. The Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office initially received the report before transferring the investigation to Hall County in late July, determining the crime occurred within their jurisdiction.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for Watson’s Snapchat account on August 14. This led to a search of his residence on Joe Chandler Road on September 12, during which the dog was taken into protective custody.Authorities confirmed the animal did not sustain lasting physical injuries and is currently under the care of Hall County Animal Services.
Watson was booked into the Hall County Jail on September 13 and subsequently released on an $8,100 bond the following day. He is charged with bestiality and distributing obscene material. It is currently unkown if Watson has retained legal counsel.
The Hall County Sheriff’s Office provided the details for this report.