Bartow County Jury Convicts Cartersville Man of Rape, Aggravated Sodomy, and Child Cruelty

DALLAS, Georgia – A Bartow County jury has found Jason C. Sisson, 44, of Cartersville, guilty of Rape (O.C.G.A. § 16-6-1), Aggravated Sodomy (O.C.G.A. § 16-6-2(a)(2)), Aggravated Sexual Battery (O.C.G.A. § 16-6-22.2), and Cruelty to Children in the First Degree (O.C.G.A. § 16-5-70), following a four-day trial.

The charges stem from an Euharlee Police Department investigation launched on or about May 27, 2018, after the victim reported that Sisson had sexually assaulted her. During the trial, the victim provided brave testimony, supported by lead detective Billy Walker of the Euharlee Police Department. After just 15 minutes of deliberation, the jury returned guilty verdicts on all four counts.

The case was originally handled in the Cherokee Judicial Circuit (Bartow County) but was transferred to the Paulding Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office in 2024 due to a conflict of interest identified by Bartow County prosecutors.

“This conviction reflects our commitment to prosecuting the most serious sexual offenses and supporting victims through every step,” said Paulding Judicial Circuit District Attorney Robert S. Lane. “Rape and child molestation are among the most insidious crimes we prosecute. They rob victims—especially children—of their innocence and their sense of safety. Our office was proud to assist our colleagues in Bartow County in securing this conviction and ensuring that another predator is removed from our community.”

DA Lane highlighted recent improvements in his office’s capacity to handle complex sex crimes cases, noting the expansion from one qualified sex crimes prosecutor to a team of more than four in just over a year.

“I am proud of the victim’s courage and grateful for the tireless work of law enforcement and Senior ADA Jason Treadaway, whose dedication helped ensure accountability in this case,” Lane added.

The Honorable Scott Smith presided over the trial. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 17, 2026.

The case was investigated by the Euharlee Police Department and prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Jason Treadaway of the Paulding Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office.