Cherokee Man Sentenced For Child Molestation: District Attorney

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — A Cherokee County man has been convicted and sentenced for sexually assaulting a juvenile in the county.

Brian Keith Cantrell, 41, was found guilty of one count of aggravated child molestation, five counts of child molestation, one count of enticing a child for indecent purposes, one count of cruelty to children in the first degree, and two counts of violating family violence order, the Cherokee County District Attorney's office said.

After deliberating for seven hours over the course of two days, a Cherokee County jury delivered a guilty verdict on Aug. 27. The defendant was later sentenced at a hearing on Oct. 31.

The charges stem from incidents occurring from 2015-2017. The child reported the abuse to a relative who advised the child to go to law enforcement.

During her closing statements, Assistant District Attorney Cait Adcock, who prosecuted the case on behalf of the state, said the defendant manipulated the victim and used his authority to coerce a child into cooperating with his sick desires, the office said.

“Brian Cantrell systematically molested a child over the course of two years. He claimed he was only ‘snuggling’ with the child, but his intentions were sick and perverted,” Adcock said, who tried the case on behalf of the state. “The victim was so brave in coming forward to ensure that other children will not endure sexual abuse from this man.”

On Oct. 31, the victim spoke at the sentencing hearing, describing the pain and long-term effects of the abuse. Judge David Cannon Jr. then sentenced Cantrell to serve 30 years in prison, with the remainder of life on probation. Upon release, Cantrell will be required to register as a sex offender.

“The jury did a great job reviewing extensive evidence and ensuring that justice was served,” District Attorney Shannon Wallace said. “The horrific abuse this child suffered is beyond conceivable. I’m pleased that when the child finally had the courage to report the abuse, caring adults listened and promptly took the child to the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office so the crime could be investigated. When adults commit these acts on innocent children, we as a society must act. People like Brian Cantrell need to be behind bars.”