Franklin Co. Man Sentenced in Child Molestation Case

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

The son of Franklin County Commissioner Robert Franklin will spend the next ten years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple counts of child molestation involving a 13-year-old girl.

Robert Franklin Jr. was indicted last September on two counts of child molestation, one count of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of enticing a child for indecent purposes.

According to the indictment, in February 2015, Franklin Jr. sent sexually explicit photos and videos of himself to a 13 year old girl and then persuaded her to send him similar photos and videos of herself to him.

Then in March 2015, the indictment states Franklin Jr. sexually molested the girl at a church.

Franklin Jr. had been out on bond awaiting a court appearance, but in late May was taken back into custody after authorities say he had violated the terms of his bond, which stated he was to have no contact with children.

Earlier this month, Franklin Jr. pleaded guilty to all charges.

On Wednesday, Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Malcom sentenced Robert Franklin Jr. to 20 years in prison with ten to serve.