Prison For Man Who Had Sex With Teen Boy

MARIETTA, GA — A man who had sex with a 14-year-old boy in Cobb County is on his way to prison.

Wesley Tyronne Dean, 58, of Cartersville, pleaded guilty on Friday to one count of child molestation, Cobb County prosecutors announced. Superior Court Judge Kimberly A. Childs sentenced Dean to 20 years, with 15 years to serve in custody and the balance on probation.

In October 2016, the mother of the boy found inappropriate text messages from Dean on her son's phone. The boy would tell investigators that, on Oct. 28, 2016, Dean drove him to the Marriott hotel in the Cobb Galleria area, where they engaged in sexual activity.

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Prosecutors pointed to video from the hotel confirming the two were there together on that night. Dean also gave a full confession to investigators from the Cobb County Police Department.

"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 Assistant District Attorney Katie Gropper, who prosecuted the case.

Dean has been in custody since February 2017.

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