CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. — A man and woman were sentenced to prison last week after being found guilty of sex crimes against a child.
In 2021, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office began to investigate after a 9-year-old girl said she was victimized by a man familiar with her family.
The child told CCSO officials the incidents occurred at a home in Cherokee County, describing “multiple acts of sexual assault and child molestation committed on her by 37-year-old Joseph Franklin Dyson.
When the acts occurred, the child was seven years old, officials learned.
One of the incidents described by the child included being restrained by the woman co-defendant to keep her from escaping.
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As the co-defendant held the child down, Dyson exposed his genitalia and attempted to assault the child, officials learned.
The co-defendant corroborated the story during a proffer of facts concerning the case.
“This very young child was afraid that she would be in trouble if she told someone what happened to her, which is often the case for child victims of violent crimes. We are forever thankful that she disclosed the abuse and received the help she needed,” said Assistant District Attorney Meaghan Frankish. “Anna Crawford Children’s Center and their experienced forensic interviewers were able to lend incredible support to the victim during such a difficult time.”
Dyson was sentenced, as negotiated, to 50 years, with the first 23 years to serve in prison and the remainder to be served on probation. He may have no contact with the victim, must register with the sex offender registry, and obtain a psychosexual evaluation.
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While on probation, he must adhere to sex offender special conditions as well as standard conditions of probation.
Tessa Maryann Wilkie, 27, was sentenced to 20 years with the first five years to serve in prison and the remainder to serve on probation.
Wilkie may have no contact with the victim or her mother, must register with the sex offender registry, and adhere to sex offender special conditions as well as standard conditions of probation.
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