3 Sisters Sexually Abused By Douglas County Man: Prosecutor

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — A Douglasville man was found guilty last week of molesting his three step-grandchildren multiple times, the Douglas County District Attorney's Office announced last week.

The trial for Varon Mark Crew, 60 — who was previously convicted of child molestation — was held Oct. 18-25, and the jury only took 30 minutes to deliberate last Monday before returning the guilty verdict on two counts of child molestation, one count of aggravated child molestation and one count of aggravated sexual battery.

While living with his step-grandchildren, Crew masturbated in front of his 11-year-old step-granddaughter while waiting in the car for her school bus in the morning, according to investigators. They said he frequently masturbated in front of her, and walked in the bathroom while she was in the shower.

He also digitally penetrated his 17-year-old step-granddaughter, the DA's office said, and he restrained his 15-year-old step-granddaughter's arms and legs while molesting her and ejaculated on her leg.

“Few crimes are more heinous and repugnant than sex crimes against children, and Douglas County will prosecute to the fullest extent anyone who sexually abuses children in this county,” Douglas County DA E. Dalia Racine said in a news release. “It is shocking to the conscience whenever a family member sexually abuses a child in the family, it compounds the heartache for all involved.”

The 11-year-old victim disclosed some of the abuse to an investigator with the Division of Family and Children's Services after an anonymous tip prompted a DFCS visit to the home. Then the other victims disclosed the abuse to their mom and a forensic interviewer at the Douglas County Child Advocacy Center.

All three victims provided testimony at Crew's trial, and they all said they considered him to be a real grandfather before he abused them, the news release said.

“The victims in this case are so courageous, and their testimony, as hard as it was for them to tell their stories on the stand, helped prevent Crew from being released back into the community where he could sexually abuse other little girls,” Racine said.

The case was referred to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office for investigation. Investigator Nathan Mitchell interviewed Crew, who made admissions and confessions that corroborated the victims' statements. He also confessed in letters to his son from his jail cell.

Crew faces up to four life sentences when he is sentenced at a later date.

"Our thanks go out to our law enforcement partners at the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the child advocates at the Child Advocacy Center and DFCS,” Racine said. “Without the tireless, emotionally exhausting work that goes into investigating these kinds of crimes, sexual predators like Crew would escape justice.”