Categories: U.S.

Georgia man to spend 20 years in prison for sexually abusing disabled family member

close Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for August 8

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what’s clicking on Foxnews.com.

A Georgia man will spend 20 years behind bars after he was convicted of repeated sexual exploitation of a disabled family member.

Troy Hickman, 59, of Canton, was charged with two counts of aggravated sexual battery and two counts of exploitation and intimidation of a disabled adult. He pleaded guilty to the crimes in May.

Hickman was arrested after an intellectually disabled woman he abused for years – beginning when she was 18 – told a friend about the acts last year, FOX 5 Atlanta reported. The friend then reported Hickman to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies learned Hickman and the victim spent a lot of time alone together during the years he was abusing her, the outlet reported, and she gave specific details about the sexual acts to investigators with the Anna Crawford Children’s Center.

GEORGIA POLICE OFFICER ACCUSED OF CHILD MOLESTATION, SEXUAL BATTERY

Troy Dean Hickman was sentenced to 20 years in prison after he was convicted for repeated sexual exploitation of a disabled family member. (Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office)

“Victims of sexual assault are often afraid to come forward, and that was certainly the case here. The victim is intellectually disabled and had been subjected to repeated threats of harm by this defendant as he attempted to prevent her from revealing the abuse. She bravely overcame that fear by seeking help,” Assistant District Attorney Elliot Stone of the Domestic Violence Unit said in a statement. 

Stone said Hickman confessed to his crimes, but he blamed alcohol for his behavior and “even suggested that the victim was partly to blame.”

GEORGIA MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR MURDERING HOMECOMING QUEEN, SHOOTING ARMY SOLDIER

The victim told a friend about the abuse last year and the friend reported it to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. (Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office)

Hickman was sentenced to 20 years in prison without parole, followed by probation for the rest of his life. 

He is prohibited from having contact with the victim and her family, and will have to undergo a psycho-sexual evaluation, receive treatment for substance abuse and adhere to sex offender special conditions.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“The victim looked to this defendant as a father figure, and it is despicable that he would manipulate her trust and vulnerability for his own sexual desires,” District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway said in a statement. “Our hope is the victim and her family will find peace and healing in knowing that this defendant has received justice for his crimes and that he will never again be able to hurt another individual in this way.”

Share

Recent Posts

University of South Carolina student, 21, killed in hit-and-run crash involving illegal immigrant: DHS

close Video Illegal migrant faces six charges in Georgia murder case Fox News correspondent Madison…

2 hours ago

Russia calls Trump threats to bomb Iran ‘illegal and unacceptable’

close Video Trump speaks to reporters about Russia, Iran and a third term President Donald…

4 hours ago

South Korean president removed from office four months after declaring martial law

close Video Expert says South Korean president's failed martial law declaration attempt a ‘blunder,' to…

4 hours ago

Mexico to dump millions of gallons of sewage into Tijuana River, US continues to be a dumping ground: Official

close Video California beaches close after 8 million gallons of sewage is discharged into Pacific…

4 hours ago

Georgia and Alabama suspects make plea in sextortion scam that led to Michigan teen’s suicide

close Video Father of sextortion victim fights for justice High schooler Jordan DeMay’s father John…

4 hours ago

Multiple people struck and killed by Amtrak train near Philadelphia

close Video Pennsylvania officials confirm 3 people fatally struck by train Bristol Borough Police Chief…

4 hours ago