Man Convicted In Rape Of Cherokee Pre-Teen

CANTON, GA — A jury has found a Canton man guilty of raping a pre-teenager after prosecutors say gift giving escalated to sexual abuse.

The guilty verdict was handed down against Antonio Eliberto Lopez-Peren, 50, on Oct. 3, the Cherokee County District Attorney's Office said Tuesday.

Canton Police started investigating Lopez-Peren in April 2024 when the child reported the abuse to a friend, prosecutors said. They did not identify the child's age.

The Anna Crawford Children’s Center conducted a forensic interview with the child, during which prosecutors said she voiced the abuse lasted for five months.

Lopez-Peren was initially nice to her, bringing her food and gifts while her father was working, prosecutors said.

The abuse started with inappropriate touching before escalating to rape, prosecutors said.

Lopez-Peren was found guilty of rape, two counts of trafficking of persons for sexual servitude and child molestation after a five-day trial, prosecutors said. He will be sentenced at a later date.