Former Toombs County Gym Owner Indicted on Federal Charges
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Former Legacy Performance Center (of Lyons) owner Walter Joey Drew was indicted on federal charges for a series of child sex crimes on Wednesday, July 31.
As announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Georgia, Drew is charged with six counts of production of child pornography, three counts of attempted production of child pornography, six counts of possession of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography, and one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activities.
These charges stem from Drew’s gym in Lyons, which had a tanning center. From February 2021 until June 2023, Drew allegedly used the tanning center and his home to produce sexually explicit photos of at least eight minors, and kept these images within his possession. In addition to this, Drew also tried to convince one minor to engage in sexual activity for the purpose of producing child pornography.
Drew could potentially spend the rest of his life in federal prison, with statutory minimum sentences being 10 years for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, and 15 years for production or attempted production of child pornography. Any conviction will cost Drew substantial financial penalties, require his registration as a sex offender, and impose a lifetime of supervised life upon release, as there is no parole in the federal prison system.
In addition to this, Drew also has impending state charges for similar crimes in both Toombs and White Counties in which he may be sentenced to further time in prison.
The Department of Homeland Security Investigations is continuing to oversee this case and is seeking anyone who may also potentially be one of Drew’s victims or have relevant information on the case. These individuals are encouraged to call the Department’s tip line at (866) 347-2423.
Assistant U.S. Attorney and Project Safe Childhood Coordinator Jason W. Blanchard will oversee the prosecution of Drew, which will occur at a later date.
