Tony Wheeler Sentenced to 25 Years for Sexual Assault on Step-Daughter

Defendant Found Guilty in 2002 Molestation of 12-Year-Old Girl

Atlanta—Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. (Atlanta Judicial Circuit) announces that, following his conviction, Tony Wheeler (37) has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for a 28 July 2002 sexual assault on his then-12-year-old step-daughter. Wheeler was found guilty of aggravated sodomy, aggravated child molestation, and child molestation (two counts).

The victim and the defendant’s two biological daughters were staying with Wheeler for the summer at his apartment on Conley Road in southwest Atlanta. Wheeler told the girl to go to his bedroom to watch television when the other girls indicated that they wanted to watch a different program. The defendant went into his room in the early morning hours after the victim had fallen asleep there. He awakened the girl and sexually assaulted her. The victim could not reach her mother the following day but made an outcry to a relative, who in turn found the mother and contacted the police.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Ash Joshi prosecuted the case, District Attorney’s Office Investigator Tina Fleming and Atlanta Police Detective C. Lyons investigated, and Judge M. Gino Brogdon presided.

CONTACT: Erik Friedly, 404.224.0560 (office); 770.583.6069 (pager); erik.friedly@co.fulton.ga.us