The Gist: A man who picked up a 12-year-old girl from Georgia, assaulted her, and dumped her in a Tennessee parking lot has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.
The Details: James Anthony Reynolds was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after admitting to kidnapping the girl, then sexually assaulting her. He met the girl on a social media app and offered her a ride in May 2020, violently assaulting her before abandoning her in a Walmart parking lot in Chattanooga. The young girl approached a Walmart employee who helped her reach her parents.
In Context: Child sexual predators are increasingly using social media to target vulnerable minors. This case illustrates the importance of parental supervision and monitoring of children’s Internet activity.
Why It Matters: The sentencing provides a measure of justice for the young victim. It also sends a warning to child predators that such crimes will not be tolerated and brings awareness to the growing problem of online predators.
What You Can Do: Parents should stay vigilant and monitor children’s Internet activity. Report suspicious behavior to local law enforcement or the GA Coalition to Combat Human Trafficking at 86-363-4842.
What’s Next?: Reynolds still faces additional charges in state court. The investigation is ongoing.
Go Deeper: For more information on Project Safe Childhood, visit: www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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