YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – Towns County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a physical assault on an elderly victim on Wednesday, Aug. 29, at a residence in Young Harris.

Towns County Sheriff’s Office investigators responded to Murphy Medical Center in Peachtree, NC, to follow-up with the reported elderly victim.

Upon completion of the investigation, Joshua Dustin Carnes, 40, of Young Harris, was arrested and charged with the following crimes:

• One Felony Count of Exploitation and Intimidation of the Elderly Due to Inflicting Physical Pain and Injury
• One Misdemeanor Count of Battery of a Person over 65 years (Family Violence Act)

The elderly victim was treated and released from Murphy Medical Center, The case will be forwarded to Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Carnes is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.