Four guilty pleas results in 57 years of prison total for the offenders

During court proceedings on April 5, Senior Assistant District Attorney Brian Atkinson was able to secure guilty pleas from four defendants, resulting in 57 years of prison total for the offenders.

The hearings were held in the Franklin County Superior Court and presided over by Senior Judge John Bailey.

Kenneth Carey pled guilty to charges of statutory rape and child molestation and was sentenced to 25-years confinement followed by 15-years of probation.

District Attorney Parks White credited the work by Investigator Chris Buffington of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office for his work on the case.

Dennis Wills was sentenced to 15-years confinement as the result of a guilty plea on a charge of child molestation.

White credited the work by Franklin County Sheriff’s Office investigator Missy Collins for the successful outcome.

Charles Middleton also plead guilty to child molestation and was also sentenced to 15-years confinement.

Investigator Collins was also recognized by White for her work on this case as well.

Johnathan Beasley, also plead guilty to fleeing and attempting to elude a police officer and was sentenced to 2 years.

White said obtaining the guilty pleas was a huge win for the prosecution and for the victims as well since none of them were required to testify in court or sit through a full trial.

Atkinson was also recently recognized as “Assistant District Attorney” of the year for the

Northern Judicial Circuit for the second time.