Published: December 17, 2008 01:58 pm      

Cherokee County man convicted of ‘continuous’ abuse of a child; faces 25-plus years in prison

By Kelly Young

kyoung@jacksonvilleprogress.com

George Henry Williams Jr. will spend at least the next 25 years in prison after becoming the first person in Cherokee County to be convicted under a new criminal offense — that of continuous sexual abuse of a young child.

A jury found Williams, 49, guilty Dec. 10 in the 2nd District Court. He will be sentenced Thursday by Judge Dwight Phifer.

Assistant District Attorney Rachel Patton said the new type of charge was created as part of the Texas Legislature’s 2007 passage of its own version of Florida’s Jessica’s Law.

“Jessica’s Law is a generic term which is used to describe a number of different laws that were passed recently to help protect children and to enable the prosecution of certain types of sex offenders,” Patton said. “This is the first case in Cherokee County using the new offense that has been tried by a jury. There are a few others right now that are in various stages of completion, but so far only a handful have gone to a jury in the state.”

Patton said the new charge is unique in that it carries a range of punishment between 25 and 99 years in prison, whereas a typical first-degree felony would have a minimum penalty of only five years in prison.

“It is also special in that under this law there is no possibility of parole; other than capital murder, pretty much any other charge has the option of parole and good behavior. So Mr. Williams will serve a minimum of 25 years, day for day,” she said.

While she could divulge very few details of the crime until sentencing had taken place, Patton said for the sexual abuse to be deemed continuous, she said the law requires that it take place for at least 30 days.

The victim did testify in Williams’ trial. According to Patton, she was “very impressed by how brave a little girl she is.”

“Jessica’s Law is a great step forward. The people who worked on getting this passed have done a great service to prosecutors and, more importantly, to the children of this state,” Patton said. “It also helps us protect future victims by helping us prosecute the ones who have already committed offenses, keeping them from hurting anyone else.”

Sentencing is set for 2 p.m. Williams will be 74, at the earliest, before he leaves prison. Patton represented the state at trial and Attorney Allen Ross represented the defendant.

“I will make a recommendation to the judge for sentencing, but I haven’t decided yet what that recommendation will be. The minimum, with no chance of parole, is already pretty significant,” Patton said.