CHILD MOLESTER CONVICTED AND SENTENCED TO LIFE

Jury Finds Gerrard Jackson Guilty—He Gets Life, Plus Life, Plus 20

For 18 months, two young girls—one 8, the other 16 and mentally challenged—endured the sexual molestation of their mother’s boyfriend. When the older girl finally told their mother, she called the police. Today, Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. announces the conviction of 34-year-old Gerrard Jackson after a week long trial. The jury deliberated just over two hours and found Jackson guilty on all 3 counts—guilty of aggravated sexual battery and child molestation in the case of the 8-year-old; guilty of aggravated sodomy in the case of the 16-year-old.

Jackson sometimes baby-sat the woman’s 5 children while she worked at night. Both girls testified about the abuse during the trial. Assistant District Attorney Tanya Miller of the DA’s Crimes Against Women and Children Unit also introduced at trial expert testimony that the now 17-year-old girl cognitively functions as a 4 or 5-year-old.

Superior Court Judge Craig Schwall sentenced Jackson to life, plus life, plus 20 years in prison, to be served consecutively. He had been free on bail, but was taken into custody immediately after sentencing.

District Attorney Howard expressed thanks to the jury for helping to bring justice to the family. He said, “Our main responsibility is to protect children.” Howard also praised the investigative work of APD Detective Charles Brown of the Child Exploitation Unit, DA Investigators Nick Degennaro and Antonio Long and victim advocate Scott Long of the DA’s Victim-Witness Assistance Program.

CONTACT: Lyn Vaughn, 404.730.6860 (office); 770.597.6963 (cell); lyn.vaughn@co.fulton.ga.us