Former Georgia Deputy Sheriff sentenced to 15 years for sexual exploitation of minors
Credit: piqsels
CHEROKEE COUNTY — Former Cherokee County Deputy Sheriff Stephen Michael Bunte, 42, of Calhoun, Georgia, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for enticement of a minor and receipt of child sexual abuse material.
In August 2023, HSI agents conducting an investigation into international child sex trafficking networks in the Philippines identified a child trafficker who offered access to sexually explicit webcam livestreams involving multiple children under the age of 12.
The investigation revealed that the target offered customers hands-on access to the children, including the trafficker’s own children, according to the United States Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg.
In March 2024, agents discovered communication between the trafficker and Stephen Michael Bunte. At the time, Bunte lived in Calhoun, Georgia, and was employed as a deputy sheriff for the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.
Thy say between May 2023 and March 2024, Bunte and the target exchanged over 14,000 messages and 15 phone calls.
During these conversations, Bunte received at least 35 images of child sexual abuse material involving three minor victims aged 6, 10, and 14, Hertzberg says.
On April 16, 2026, Bunte, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison followed by 15 years on supervised release.
Bunte was also ordered to register as a sex offender.
“Working alongside Homeland Security Investigations to keep children in our community and communities around the world safe is always a priority. It gives detectives with the Calhoun Police Department great satisfaction to assist with this case and have a successful outcome for the child victims involved.”
– Calhoun Police Department Assistant Chief, Lt. Col. Ken Carson said.
