Cartersville Man Pleads Guilty To Child Molestation Charge

MARIETTA, GA — A Bartow County man on Friday pleaded guilty to one count of child molestation, Cobb County District Attorney Vic Reynolds said.

Wesley Tyronne Dean, 58, admitted to having a sexual encounter with an underage boy, which was uncovered in October 2016 when the mother of the 14-year-old found inappropriate text messages from the defendant on her son's phone, the DA's office said.

The teenager told investigators that on Oct. 28, 2016, Dean drove him to the Marriott hotel in the Cobb Galleria area, where the two engaged in sexual activity. Security video from the hotel confirmed the two were there together on that night. Dean also gave a full confession to investigators, the DA's office added.

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“Mr. Dean preyed upon the vulnerability and insecurity of a teenage boy by giving him money, purchasing him gifts, and making him feel cared for and accepted — all with the motivation of exploiting him sexually,” said Senior ADA Katie Gropper, who prosecuted the case.

After accepting the plea, Cobb Superior Court Judge Kimberly A. Childs sentenced Dean to 20 years, with 15 years to serve in custody and the balance on probation.

Marietta attorney John Hildebrand represented Dean, who has been in custody since February 2017. Cobb County Police Department investigated this case.

Photo: Wesley Tyronne Dean. Credit: Cobb County Sheriff's Office