James Anthony Reynolds, Kidnapping and Sexual Assault, Georgia 2023

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.

James Anthony Reynolds, 25, of Acworth, Georgia, was sentenced on November 1, 2023, after pleading guilty to kidnapping. He continues to face additional charges related to the case in state court.

According to U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: In May 2020, the victim then 12 years old, met a man online on a social media app. During the early morning hours of May 7, 2020, this man, later identified as James Anthony Reynolds, picked up the child, violently and sexually assaulted her, and drove her to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Reynolds then abandoned the child in a Walmart parking lot. The young girl approached a Walmart employee who, fortunately, was able to help the child reach her parents.

“Child sexual predators are increasingly exploiting social media platforms to target vulnerable minors,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “While our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners remain steadfast in identifying these criminals, and our office is committed to prosecuting these individuals to the fullest extent of the law, we strongly urge parents to stay vigilant in monitoring their children’s Internet activity, including their use of apps on electronic devices. Thankfully, the minor victim in this case is safe after being reunited with her family.”

No prison sentence can repair the damage James Anthony Reynolds has done. We hope this sentencing is of great comfort to the victim and her family,” said FBI Atlanta Assistant Special Agent in Charge Sean Burke. “The FBI is committed to partnering with our law enforcement partners to prevent, deter, and punish crimes like these.”

This case was investigated 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 being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.

Defendant: James Anthony Reynolds

Criminal Charges: Kidnapping

City and State: Acworth, Georgia

Exact Date: November 1, 2023

Sentence or Outcome: 20 years in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/pr/cobb-county-man-sentenced-20-years-kidnapping-12-year-old-barrow-county