Registered Savannah sex offender indicted on new child sex crime charge

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A registered sex offender in Savannah is facing new child sex crime charges after a grand jury indicted him this week.

Indictment details

Donald Dickson was indicted on one count of sexual exploitation of children. The indictment alleges he knowingly possessed electronic images depicting a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct this summer.

Arrest and investigation

According to a Garden City Police report, Dickson’s probation officer discovered suspected drugs and drug paraphernalia in his hotel room in July, prompting police to respond. During a search, investigators seized 14 grams of methamphetamine, three digital storage drives and multiple cellphones.

The report says Dickson made a spontaneous statement admitting that three storage devices and his iPhone in the room contained child pornography. He was arrested that day.

Dickson’s jail booking report listed drug-related charges too, but those charges were not included in the grand jury indictment.

Prior conviction

According to Georgia’s sex offender registry, Dickson was previously convicted of a federal or military sex crime in 2018.

Bond status

He has requested bond, but a Chatham County Superior Court judge has not yet ruled on that request. Dickson remains in the Chatham County jail on a hold from the U.S. Marshals.