Cherokee Man Sentenced To 20 Years For Child Porn: Police

BALL GROUND, GA — A man from Ball Ground was recently sentenced to serve jail time after pornographic images of children were found on devices in his home, according to the Cherokee County District Attorney.

Robert Anthony Cunningham, 49, was sentenced on June 20 on one count of sexual exploitation of children after a Cherokee County jury found Cunningham guilty of possessing child pornography.

During the trial, the District Attorney’s Office presented evidence of pornographic material containing images of children found on devices in the rural home Cunningham shared with his elderly parents.

Assistant District Attorney Robert Fickett, who prosecuted the case on behalf of the state, recommended a sentence of 20 years to serve the first 10 years in confinement in the state penal system.

After hearing arguments from both the state and the defense, Senior Judge Frank C. Mills, III, sentenced Cunningham to 20 years with the first four years to serve in confinement in the state penal system. The defendant will also be required to register as a sex offender and adhere to all sex offender special conditions of probation once he is released from prison.

“After receiving a cyber-tip, the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit of the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation of this defendant, which ultimately led to his arrest,” said District Attorney Shannon Wallace. “We are committed to prosecuting individuals who possess and disseminate child pornography in Cherokee County. We simply will not tolerate individuals who harm and prey on our most vulnerable, our children.”