State of Georgia v. Reginald Johnson

Savannah, GA - Defendant Found Not Guilty On Child Molestation Charges



The State of Georgia charged Reginald Johnson, age 46, with multiple counts of child molestation in violation of Title 16, Section 16-6-4 which provides:



(a) A person commits the offense of child molestation when such person:



(1) Does any immoral or indecent act to or in the presence of or with any child under the age of 16 years with the intent to arouse or satisfy the sexual desires of either the child or the person; or



(2) By means of an electronic device, transmits images of a person engaging in, inducing, or otherwise participating in any immoral or indecent act to a child under the age of 16 years with the intent to arouse or satisfy the sexual desires of either the child or the person.



(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person convicted of a first offense of child molestation shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than five nor more than 20 years and shall be subject to the sentencing and punishment provisions of Code Sections 17-10-6.2 and 17-10-7. Upon a defendant being incarcerated on a conviction for a first offense, the Department of Corrections shall provide counseling to such defendant. Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, upon a second or subsequent conviction of an offense of child molestation, the defendant shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than ten years nor more than 30 years or by imprisonment for life and shall be subject to the sentencing and punishment provisions of Code Sections 17-10-6.2 and 17-10-7; provided, however, that prior to trial, a defendant shall be given notice, in writing, that the state intends to seek a punishment of life imprisonment.



(2) If the victim is at least 14 but less than 16 years of age and the person convicted of child molestation is 18 years of age or younger and is no more than four years older than the victim, such person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall not be subject to the sentencing and punishment provisions of Code Section 17-10-6.2.



(c) A person commits the offense of aggravated child molestation when such person commits an offense of child molestation which act physically injures the child or involves an act of sodomy.



(d) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person convicted of the offense of aggravated child molestation shall be punished by imprisonment for life or by a split sentence that is a term of imprisonment for not less than 25 years and not exceeding life imprisonment, followed by probation for life, and shall be subject to the sentencing and punishment provisions of Code Sections 17-10-6.1 and 17-10-7.



(2) A person convicted of the offense of aggravated child molestation when:



(A) The victim is at least 13 but less than 16 years of age;



(B) The person convicted of aggravated child molestation is 18 years of age or younger and is no more than four years older than the victim; and



(C) The basis of the charge of aggravated child molestation involves an act of sodomy



shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall not be subject to the sentencing and punishment provisions of Code Section 17-10-6.1.



(e) A person shall be subject to prosecution in this state pursuant to Code Section 17-2-1 for any conduct made unlawful by paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of this Code section which the person engages in while:



(1) Either within or outside of this state if, by such conduct, the person commits a violation of paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of this Code section which involves a child who resides in this state; or



(2) Within this state if, by such conduct, the person commits a violation of paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of this Code section which involves a child who resides within or outside this state.



The State claimed that Johnson violated the statute by sexually molesting an 11 year old over a three year period.



The victim testified that the Defendant started molesting her when she was 11 and continued until she was 14 when she disclosed what Johnson was doing to her.



Defendant pleaded not guilty.

Not guilty.

Editor's Note: Every once in a while a defendant is found not guilty on charges like this, but it is unusual.

Mr. Darden commented:

"Interesting case. Defendant represented by Richard Darden. Testimony showed defendant was molested by defendant over a three year period of time. Child had a diary indicating she was molested. Also testified defendant showed her porn on several occasions and was able to identify films she saw with defendant-they were played in court. Defendant gave statement to police that lasted almost 5 hours. He admitted showing her porn but told police it was for educational purposes. He admitted discussing inappropriate things with the child but denied ever molesting her. Defendant had thousands of images of porn on his computer but no child porn.
Defense argued that child was not credible in that she had also made false allegations against her biological father. No experts were called and defendant did not testify. Jury acquitted of all charges after 3 hours of deliberation."