Arrest Warrant for Principal Charged in Child Sex Sting: 'He Taught Other Girls'

Elementary school principal John McGill appeared in a DeKalb County courtroom Tuesday afternoon to face charges of computer/electronic pornography and child exploitation.

Bond was set at $50,000 for McGill, 56, of Villa Rica, who is principal at Mt. Carmel Elementary in Douglas County. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 17

The AJC reported McGill was being held at the DeKalb County Jail in lieu of the bond, and his lawyer thought he would be released Tuesday night.

• Watch the raw video on AJC.com of McGill outside the courthouse

McGill was caught in a GBI sting over the weekend that resulted in 14 arrests for child sex offenses. McGill was suspended by the Douglas County School System on Sunday, after the GBI announced the arrests.

Citing the arrest warrant, the AJC reported McGill had responded to a Craigslist ad about a woman looking for someone for her teenage daughter. An undercover officer interacted via phone and email with McGill, according to warrant. He apparently told the officer “he has taught other girls and he would go slow.”

According to a GBI press release, “The arrestees, ranging in age from 21 to 64, traveled from all parts of Northern Georgia with the intent to meet a child for sex. Some of their occupations included educator, engineer, laborer, salesman, business owner, software developer, and a musician.”

The school system has since named an interim principal, Dr. Sandra Williams.

McGill’s lawyer, Mac Pilgrim, said McGill would plead not guilty. ”The evidence is different than the warrant,” Pilgrim told the AJC.

See also

• Douglas County Elementary School Principal Arrested on Child Sex Charges
• Accused Elementary School Principal Scheduled in DeKalb County Court
• Douglas School Board Names Interim Principal at Mt. Carmel Elementary