Cobb County man sentenced to 20 years for kidnapping 12-year-old from Barrow County

Appellate Courts
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Ryan K. Buchanan U.S. Attorney | US Attorney's office Northern District of Georgia

A Cobb County man has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl from Barrow County, Georgia. James Anthony Reynolds drove the young girl to Acworth, Georgia, and then abandoned her in a Walmart parking lot in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan emphasized the increasing use of social media platforms by child sexual predators to target vulnerable minors. He urged parents to remain vigilant in monitoring their children's internet activity and use of apps on electronic devices.

FBI Atlanta Assistant Special Agent in Charge Sean Burke expressed that no prison sentence can repair the damage caused by James Anthony Reynolds. He hopes the sentencing brings comfort to the victim and her family. Burke also emphasized the FBI's commitment to partnering with law enforcement agencies to prevent and punish crimes like these.

Chris Hosey, Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, commended the determination of agents and law enforcement partners in catching dangerous predators. He warned those who seek to prey on vulnerable children that the GBI will remain vigilant and adapt methods to protect children and hold predators accountable.

Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith expressed his pride in the work done by all agencies involved in catching Reynolds, preventing further victims from falling prey to his crimes. He also highlighted the importance of reporting any suspected human trafficking cases to local law enforcement or the GA Coalition to Combat Human Trafficking.

According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the victim met Reynolds online through a social media app when she was 12 years old. Reynolds violently and sexually assaulted the child before driving her to Chattanooga and abandoning her in a Walmart parking lot. Fortunately, a Walmart employee helped the girl reunite with her parents.

James Anthony Reynolds, 25, of Acworth, Georgia, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to kidnapping on November 1, 2023, and continues to face additional charges in state court related to this case.

The investigation into this case was carried out by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Barrow County Sheriff's Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Keen prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Attorney General in 2006 to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The initiative mobilizes federal, state, and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. For further inquiries, please contact the U.S. Attorney's Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.