Douglas Man Sentenced For Molesting An 8-Year-Old Girl

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — A Douglas County man who described his 8-year-old victim as "8, going on 28" will spend 20 years in prison for child molestation.

Roger Reeves, 61, pleaded guilty in Superior Court to two counts of child molestation and one count of enticing a minor for indecent purposes.

Judge William H. "Beau" McClain sentenced him to 60 years, with the first 20 years to be spent in prison without the possibility of parole.

According to prosecutors, Reeves was roommates with the grandmother of his 8-year-old victim between July 2014 and September 2015. The grandmother had legal guardianship of the girl at the time.

In September, the victim disclosed the sexual abuse to one of her elementary school teachers, who notified law enforcement and the Department of Family and Children's Services.

Investigators learned through interviewing the child that, over the previous 14 months, Reeves would pick her up, take her to his bedroom and molest her by touching and fondling her.

Reeves' trial was scheduled to begin September 14, but was delayed by a medical issue that lead to him having his right foot amputated.

After the amputation, he elected to plead guilty and ask the court to show mercy on him.

But prosecutors presented evidence that Reeves had tried to justify the charges against him during an interview with sheriff's deputies, calling his victim "8 (years old) going on 28." He also made a point of telling the court that she would "often walk around the house naked."

Prosecutors also noted that Reeves had four prior felony convictions, including a 2013 conviction on sexual battery charges in Paulding County.

Assistant District Attorney Sam Newman said the conviction and sentence "represents justice for an 8 year old child who was victimized and subjected to sexual abuse that no child should ever suffer. Judge McClain’s sentence is the appropriate one, and it ensures neither this child, nor any other child, will be abused by Roger Reeves again."

Photo courtesy Douglas County District Attorney's Office