Georgia sex offender sentenced to prison for crimes committed in multiple counties
By Graham Cawthon
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COFFEE COUNTY, Ga. (WJCL) — A registered sex offender convicted of crimes in multiple Georgia counties will serve 60 years in state prison, according to the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office.
Charlie Franklin Stevens, 38, of Douglas, received a 60-year sentence for his Pierce County convictions and a 40-year sentence for his Coffee County convictions. The sentences will run concurrently, meaning he will serve a total of 60 years.
Investigation began over contact with minor Stevens was convicted of child molestation in Lowndes County in 2018 and added to the Georgia Sex Offender Registry in 2021.
In October 2024, Coffee County sheriff’s detectives and the Georgia Department of Community Supervision began investigating reports that Stevens was contacting a minor.
Investigators said Stevens had communicated with a 12-year-old and failed to report a secondary phone number, as required under the state’s sex offender registry law. An examination of an electronic device also uncovered child sexual abuse material and evidence of child enticement, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Stevens was arrested at his Douglas home and charged with failure to register as a sex offender, computer or electronic pornography, and enticing a child for indecent purposes.
Separate Pierce County case On Oct. 23, 2024, the Pierce County Aggressive Crime Enforcement Unit opened a separate investigation into allegations involving Stevens and two other people.
That investigation led to charges against Stevens including child molestation, aggravated child molestation and enticing a child for indecent purposes.
Sheriff’s Office addresses pretrial release In announcing the sentences, the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office also addressed questions about why people accused of serious crimes may be released before trial.
The agency noted that defendants are presumed innocent until convicted and are entitled to constitutional protections and due process. Pretrial release does not dismiss charges or prevent prosecutors from pursuing a case.
The Sheriff’s Office said Georgia’s public sex offender registry helps authorities monitor convicted offenders. Those on the registry must report legally required information, including changes involving their address, employment, vehicles, phone numbers and electronic devices.
Violations can result in additional charges and may help investigators uncover other criminal activity, the agency said.
Sheriff Fred Cole said Coffee County would continue to aggressively enforce sex offender laws and investigate threats to children.
“There is no safe haven in Coffee County for those who prey on children,” Cole said.
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