Child Molester From Acworth Sentenced To Life In Prison

CANTON, GA -- A man from Acworth has been sentenced to life in prison after he was convicted of sexual abuse and child molestation.

Luis Correa, Jr., 45, was convicted and sentenced for sexually assaulting a young relative in multiple locations in Cherokee County.

Earlier this month, a Cherokee County jury found Correa guilty on three counts of child molestation and two counts of aggravated sexual battery.

The Office of the District Attorney built a case detailing the extent of sexual assault that occurred in Cherokee County, as well as other locations in Georgia and Texas. Investigators determined that the abuse started when the child was 6-years-old and living in Texas. Sexual assaults continued in 2008 when the child moved to Cherokee County. In 2016, when the child was 13-years-old, she reported the abuse to a police officer.

“Luis Correa was a predator who preyed on young children in his own home,” Shannon Wallace, Cherokee County District Attorney, said in a release. “We are very pleased with the outcome of this trial.”

In delivering the sentence on March 20, Judge Ellen McElyea praised the child for having the courage to come forward to stop the cycle of abuse. McElyea sentenced Correa to two life terms with 50 years to serve in prison for two counts of aggravated sexual battery. She also sentenced him to three 20-year terms for three counts of child molestation which will be served concurrently with the life sentence.

“The jury did a great job ensuring that justice was served. Society is safer now that this man will be behind bars for the next 50 years,” Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Holly Varner, who tried the case on behalf of the state, said in a release.