Rockmart Man Sentenced to 70 Years for Molestation and Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

PAULDING COUNTY, Ga.—District Attorney Robert S. Lane announced that John Michael Wilson, 60, of Rockmart, pleaded guilty on October 31, 2025, to multiple felony charges related to the long-term abuse of a minor child.

Wilson pleaded guilty to one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor Child and four counts of Child Molestation

Details of the Sentence

Pursuant to a negotiated plea agreement, the Honorable Judge T. David Lyles sentenced Wilson to 70 years in prison, with the first 30 years to be served in the custody of the Georgia Department of Corrections.

Upon his eventual release, Wilson will remain on probation and will be subject to the sex offender registry and all associated felony restrictions.

Investigation and Abuse Timeline

The charges arose from an investigation launched by the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office on June 18, 2024. The investigation determined that Wilson committed repeated acts of molestation between January 2013 and July 2023. The victim was under the age of 16 at the time all offenses occurred.

District Attorney Lane praised the outcome: “Crimes against children strike at the very heart of our community. Today’s guilty plea ensures accountability and sends a clear message: those who exploit and harm children will face the full weight of justice.”

The case was investigated by the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christina Morgan-Young.