31-year-old man charged with sexual battery, obstruction

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Richmond County deputies have arrested a 31-year-old man after a sexual battery incident on Sunday.

Officials say around 4:30 p.m., deputies responded to the Dollar General on Windsor Springs Road.

Deputies spoke with the victim, who reported that a man inappropriately touched her.

The subject remained inside the store when deputies arrived, then fled out the front door, according to officials.

After a brief foot pursuit, the subject, identified as Tyrone Bernard Gaynor Jr., was taken into custody.

Fort Gordon soldier faces additional child sex crime charges in Florida

Sean Benjamin Cushman, 30, of Graniteville, now has active warrants in Walton County, Fla., for dozens of counts of child sex crimes.

Officials say Gaynor has been charged with sexual battery and obstruction of an officer for attempting to evade deputies.

Detectives are reviewing additional reports to determine whether Gaynor may be connected to other incidents.

Officials say records reflect the following prior arrests in 2025:

• March 5: Arrested for misdemeanor stalking related to an incident on March 2 at Diamond Lakes Park. He was sentenced to probation on March 10 and released, according to the agency.
• September 12: Arrested for probation violation and contempt of court child support. He was released on Sept. 22 for time served, according to the agency.

Youth violence is a sad reflection on society, sheriff says

Richmond County Sheriff Eugene Brantley addressed the violence Augusta has seen in the past two days, including a murder at Augusta Mall and an apparently retaliatory attack.

“Behavior that targets and harms others in our community will never be tolerated in Richmond County. Our deputies will continue to act quickly to protect victims hold offenders accountable and pursue every lead so that patterns of predatory conduct are identified and stopped. If you have information, please come forward. Your courage helps us keep our neighborhoods safe,” said Sheriff Eugene Brantley.

Anyone who has information about this case or may have encountered Gaynor in an “adverse manner” is asked to contact Sergeant Terry Gore at 706-821-1020.