Former Toombs Co. gym owner sentenced to over 27 years in federal prison for sexual exploitation

TOOMBS COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - The former owner of a Toombs County fitness and tanning business has been sentenced to federal prison for the sexual exploitation of several teenagers.

43-year-old Walter Joey Drew was the owner of the now-closed Legacy Performance Center in Lyons.

On Sept. 18, Drew was sentenced to over 27 years in federal prison.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Georgia has also ordered Drew to register as a sex offender, pay a $1,500 fine, pay $800 in special assessments, and serve 20 years of supervised release after his prison term.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Former Toombs Co. gym owner indicted on charges involving sexual exploitation of children

According to court documents, Drew used his smartphone to take photos and videos of minors. This included recording a 13-year-old girl while she was drying off with a towel in a bathroom of his home. He also recorded the girl undressing in a tanning-bed room at the Legacy Performance Center. The 13-year-old girl was a friend of Drew’s teenage children.

Drew also recorded at least six other teenagers in the federal case and faces related state charges in Toombs County.

He also faces additional charges for separate conduct in White County.