Marietta Child Molester Sentenced To 30 Years

MARIETTA, GA -- A Marietta man was sentenced Wednesday to 30 years behind bars after being convicted of child molestation, according to Cobb County District Attorney Vic Reynolds.

Willis Owens Jr., 53, was found guilty in December of nine charges related to an inappropriate relationship he had with a teenaged girl who had special needs.

Three incidents in 2014, in which Owens brought the girl to his home on Lee Drive, solicited her for sex and got her to watch pornographic movies, eventually led to his arrest in November of that year, Reynolds said.

On one occasion the girl was found hiding in his attic.

“This defendant preyed on one of the most vulnerable members of our community because he knew he could easily manipulate her," Assistant District Attorney Courtney Veal said during the sentencing hearing, according to a news release. "He is a danger to our community, especially children in our community, and the jury’s verdict and ultimate outcome in this case ensures that he can no longer do harm.”

On Wednesday, Cobb Superior Court Judge Reuben Green ruled that Owens, a three-time offender, is a recidivist, having prior felonies related to burglary, aggravated assault and forgery spanning three decades.

“A child is a vulnerable victim under normal circumstances,” Judge Green said, according to the news release. “This child was especially vulnerable. He chose her, he groomed her. He is a danger to our community.”

Last month, Owens was found guilty of several charges in the case, including child molestation, attempted child molestation, three counts of enticing a child for indecent purposes, and four counts of misdemeanor interference with custody. He was acquitted of two charges: aggravated sodomy and aggravated child molestation.

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