In a harrowing case that unfolded over several years, William Stanley Ashworth, a 32-year-old resident of Hiram, Georgia, stands accused of heinous crimes against a minor. The allegations span from March 2012 to August 2015, during which time Ashworth allegedly molested a girl under the age of 16 at Trophy Hut, a business in Marietta.
The charges against Ashworth are grave: two counts of sexual battery and two counts of child molestation felony. His arrest on June 26, 2024, at 3 p.m. led to his confinement in the Cobb County Adult Detention Center, where he remains without bond.
The legal proceedings shed light on the complexities of this case. Cobb County Police Department detectives faced significant challenges due to the late reporting of the incidents. Despite scant corroborative evidence, their relentless efforts bore fruit. Multiple search warrants and digital forensic investigations allowed them to piece together a disturbing narrative of abuse suffered by the young victim.
Ashworth’s modus operandi involved grooming the victim, initially luring her with Percocet laced with fentanyl in exchange for money. Over time, he escalated his manipulation, providing drugs for free to facilitate sexual exploitation.
In a courtroom marked by tension, the Honorable Kimberly A. Irving delivered justice. Ashworth received six life sentences plus 215 years of incarceration, with 179 years suspended. The departure from Sentencing Guidelines—recommending a sentence of 35 to 86 years—underscored the severity of his crimes.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Amy Ashworth expressed the gravity of the case. She acknowledged the challenges posed by numerous allegations and limited evidence but praised the tireless work of detectives and digital forensics experts. Their dedication allowed justice to prevail, even in the face of darkness.
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Our hearts go out to the victim and her family, as well as to the law enforcement officers who relentlessly pursued justice. The conviction of William Stanley Ashworth serves as a stark reminder that society will not tolerate such heinous acts against its most vulnerable members1.
Reference Article:
https://x.com/mdjonline/status/1809384455422800340