Two men have been sentenced for sex trafficking a young teen in DeKalb County, according to District Attorney Sherry Boston. Algie Christian, 79, was found guilty by a jury on charges of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude, Aggravated Sexual Battery, and Child Molestation. Terrill Sanford, 42, was convicted of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude.
Judge Tangela Barrie of the DeKalb County Superior Court handed down the sentences. Christian received life in prison. Sanford was sentenced to 50 years, with 30 years to be served in custody and the remainder on probation.
The investigation began on July 28, 2022, when officers from the DeKalb County Police Department responded to a motel on Wesley Chappel Road in unincorporated Decatur. A security guard had seen a woman chasing a juvenile on the property and called for medical assistance after noticing that the woman appeared out of breath and shaking.
The woman told first responders she was chasing the girl because she believed the juvenile was trying to run away from home. The girl reported being tired of being touched by her “grandfather.” After the woman was taken to the hospital, the girl asked the motel security guard if she could go to Georgia’s Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) because she did not feel safe at home. The guard contacted police and waited with her until officers arrived.
Officers spoke with the juvenile who explained she did not want to return to her room at the motel due to ongoing abuse by her “grandfather,” identified as Algie Christian. She stated that both she and Terrill Sanford’s family had previously lived with Christian in 2021. During this time, Christian allegedly forced her into sexual acts. The victim said this abuse continued after they moved into the motel.
She also revealed that she informed Sanford about what was happening but noted that Christian paid their rent at the motel and provided Sanford with odd jobs.
Sanford told police that Christian was not actually related to them but was a family friend and church deacon. He denied knowledge of any abuse but confirmed that Christian assisted financially with rent payments and gave him work through his home improvement company.
A second security guard at the motel told detectives that several people had witnessed Sanford walking the girl over to Christian’s car and leaving her alone with him multiple times.
Christian initially denied any wrongdoing during his interview with police but later admitted there had been sexual contact between himself and the victim.
District Attorney Sherry Boston said: "DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announces the conviction by jury trial of two men accused of trafficking a young teen in the care of one of the men."
The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Ashley Warmack with support from Senior Assistant District Attorney Rachel Plevak, Investigator Haley Hines, and Victim Advocate Jenaiya Coleman. Detective G.R. Moore led the initial investigation for DeKalb County Police Department.