Man Who Held Woman At Knifepoint Convicted In Cherokee: Prosecutors

CANTON, GA — A Jonesboro man has been convicted of aggravated assault after prosecutors say he held a woman at knifepoint when she refused his sexual advances.

The Cherokee County District Attorney's Office on Friday said a jury found Desmond Jamal Camp, 37, guilty of family violence aggravated assault and false imprisonment. Jurors deliberated for about six hours before reaching the guilty verdict on June 11.

Camp was found not guilty of two additional counts of family violence aggravated assault and one count of family violence battery, prosecutors said.

The conviction stems from an April 30, 2025 investigation at a Canton hotel. The woman, who had been staying at the hotel, worked nearby and had been intimate with Camp, according to prosecutors.

After working the previous night, prosecutors said the woman went back to the hotel to sleep. However, Camp "insisted on sexual intercourse."

When she refused, prosecutors said Camp tried to remove her clothes and retrieved a large knife from his backpack. He was then accused of holding the knife to her throat.

The woman suffered two small cuts on her hand and bled onto the bed, prosecutors said.

When Camp became distracted, prosecutors said the woman ran to the front desk and received assistance from an employee. The worker took her into a back office and called 911.

Responding officers found the woman with a blanket covering herself. Prosecutors said her shirt and shorts had been cut open, and the front of her body had been exposed.

Following the woman's escape, Camp was accused of leaving the hotel and driving toward I-575 south. Canton Police were able to detain him as he tried to get onto the interstate.

The trial against Camp lasted for two days. Sentencing is set for June 23.