South Fulton Today

Gov. Brian Kemp (R-Ga.) criticized a new television ad by Republican gubernatorial candidate David Perdue.

According to FOX 5 Atlanta, the ad features Perdue shaking hands with former Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Grady Sanford, who was arrested on child pornography charges more than a year ago.

"David Perdue should immediately take down this TV ad that highlights him shaking hands with a child predator and apologize to the victims of Grady Sanford's atrocious criminal behavior," Cody Hall, director of communications and senior advisor for the Kemp campaign, said to FOX 5. "Perdue's use of this footage to score political points for his failing campaign is absolutely reprehensible. Georgians deserve better in their governor."

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation launched a probe of Sanford's internet activity after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) reported in November 2020 that images of child sexual abuse had been uploaded to the internet, according to FOX 5.

During the course of the investigation, authorities reportedly tracked the email used to Sanford's address in Canton. He was arrested on Nov. 10 and charged with two counts of distribution of child pornography following the execution of a search warrant in his home, FOX 5 said.

Footage used in the recent advertisement comes from Perdue's August 2019 visit to Mashburn Elementary School in Cumming, FOX 5 said. Perdue, who was joined by First Lady Marty Kemp, promoted legislation drafted to compile school security best practices.