Convicted Child Rapist, Molester Sentenced In Cherokee County: D.A.

CANTON, GA — A Marietta man convicted of raping a child familiar to him at an Acworth home was recently sentenced, Cherokee County District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway announced Wednesday.

Prosecutors said Alexis Trinidad, also known as Elder Israel Perez, 34, of Marietta, was sentenced on March 5 to 35 years in prison after being convicted of rape and other charges.

Authorities began investigating Trinidad in April 2023 after a 14-year-old child told a family member that Trinidad "forced himself on her and raped her," prosecutors said. Trinidad was known to the child, prosecutors said.

A four-day trial began on Jan. 28, and the jury deliberated for about two hours before reaching a guilty verdict, prosecutors said. During the trial, a second victim testified to a similar sexual assault that prosecutors said Trinidad committed.

Trinidad was convicted of rape, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sexual battery, three counts of child molestation and first-degree cruelty to children, prosecutors said.

“... the jury heard evidence that these crimes only came to light because the child could not bottle it up anymore and had resorted to self-harming,” David Bailey, lead prosecutor and Special Victims Unit Assistant District Attorney, said in a news release. “The horrible acts that this man committed upon a child caused physical injuries and lasting emotional trauma that she still endures to this day.”

In addition to 35 years in prison, Chief Superior Court Judge David Cannon Jr. sentenced Trinidad to life on probation subject to sex offender special conditions.

During his sentence, Trinidad is forbidden to have contact with the victim, the victim’s family, other witnesses during the trial and any child under the age of 18, prosecutors said. Cannon also banned Trinidad from Cherokee County, prosecutors said.

“Sexual abuse often occurs in the shadows," Cherokee County District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway said in the release. "Early signs of abuse can be subtle and overlooked. In this case, self-harm became the most powerful silent scar, eventually leading to both disclosure and law enforcement intervention. Now that her voice has been heard and justice has been served, this young victim can begin her journey toward healing.”