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Two weeks of trials wrap up, stiff sentences handed down
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The two week term of Grady County trials for the adjourned March term of 2019 consisted of approximately 90 criminal cases. Two cases of significant note were Domingo Santiago Velasco, charged with aggravated child molestation, incest, rape, and sodomy. The second criminal case taken to an impaneled jury trial was Joseph Henry Simmons, charged with child molestation, enticing a child for indecent purposes, and false imprisonment.
Domingo Santiago Velasco, an immigrant from Mexico and non-citizen of the United States, pled blind to aggravated child molestation, two counts of incest, rape and sodomy. At the mercy of the court, Velasco was sentenced to life in the state system.
With the assistance of the Grady County Sheriff’s Office and the Oak House of Bainbridge, evidence showed that on March 7, 2018, Domingo Velasco did commit an immoral and indecent act to his stepdaughter who was under the age of 16, with intent to arouse and satisfy the sexual desires of himself by an act of sodomy. Velasco was found to be engaged in sexual intercourse with his stepdaughter, an act of incest, on or about March 7, 2018 in Grady County. Judge Kevin Chason sentenced Velasco to life in prison on March 18, 2019.
The second criminal case was a two-day jury trial of Joseph Henry Simmons. Mr. Simmons was charged with six counts of Child Molestation, one count of false imprisonment, and two counts of enticing a child for indecent purposes. The case was tried by Chief Assistant Mike Bankston on March 20, and the impaneled jury found Joseph Simmons guilty on all counts.
With the assistance of Georgia Bureau of Investigation Agent Matt Marchant, the Grady County Sheriff’s Office and the Oak House of Bainbridge, evidence showed that between Feb. 6, 2015 and April 6, 2016, Joseph Simmons molested two children, ages 9 and 10. Simmons was found guilty on all charges and sentenced to 39 years to serve in the state penal system by Judge Kevin Chason.
District Attorney Joe Mulholland stated, “Child predators and molesters have no place in our community. I thank the juries and our tough judges for making sure they will be locked up for the remainder of their lives and unable to assault any more innocent children.”
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