Gwinnett County Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Sexually Assaulting 13-Year-Old Girl
William J. McCleod, 33, has pleaded guilty to rape, aggravated child molestation, and child molestation, accepting a sentence of 30 years in prison followed by life on probation, during which he must register as a sex offender. The charges stem from the sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl in September 2022.
“This victim was very brave for speaking up and telling the truth about the assault,” District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. “As a result of her bravery, this defendant must pay severe consequences for his vile actions. Justice is served, and we hope this victim and her family can heal from this assault and thrive.”
The assault occurred on the evening of September 27, 2022, when McCleod texted the teen and asked her to come into his room. Upon her entry, he sexually assaulted her. The next morning, the girl bravely disclosed the incident to her mother, who immediately reported it to the Gwinnett County Police Department. Investigators interviewed the child, and a sexual assault examination collected the defendant’s DNA.
McCleod was indicted in December 2022, and a trial was set for the end of June. However, to spare the victim from testifying, McCleod pleaded guilty to all charges against him. Both the victim and her mother were present when a judge accepted the defendant’s plea.
The trial team was led by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Wanda Vance, with support from DA’s Special Victims Unit Investigator LaShonda Williams and SVU Victim Advocate Rocio Pineda. The Gwinnett County Police Department and assistance from Mosaic Georgia were cited as invaluable in closing the case.
