A Canton man is set for a long stretch behind bars after a disturbing admission of guilt in the rape of a young girl. According to FOX 5 Atlanta, 43-year-old Jeremy Lenard Varner copped to three counts of rape, crimes that occurred in the child's own bedroom, receiving a sentence of 25 years in prison followed by a lifetime on the sex offender registry.
The harrowing case began in November 2018, with the young girl's brave revelation to a family member of the repeated assaults. Following this disclosure, Cherokee County deputies arrested Varner, who, during his plea hearing, was handed down a sentence that precludes the possibility of parole. Cherokee County authorities had been familiar with Varner, previously incarcerating him for unrelated charges including armed robbery, burglary, and meth possession according to Georgia Department of Corrections records obtained by WSB-TV.
In statements shared in court, Assistant District Attorney Alana J. Driscoll emphasized the depraved nature of the crime. "This defendant was known to the child and her family, and he used this access to engage in sexual acts, with an innocent little girl, raping her in her own bedroom," Driscoll said. Her comments underscored not just the physical, but also the psychological terror inflicted upon the victim.
District Attorney Susan Treadaway noted the young girl's resilience and the relief that comes with the avoidance of a trial. "This young victim has been incredibly strong throughout this process, but emotional scars can take a lifetime to heal. Through this negotiated plea, justice was served and the victim was spared from reliving this trauma in front of a jury," Treadaway explained, Assistant District Attorney Susan Treadaway expressed the relief that justice had been served, enabling the child and her family to start to move on from the horrific ordeal, Treadaway told WSB-TV.
The dire consequences of Varner's actions have culminated in a punishment that ensures his removal from society for an extended period, as the family seeks to heal from the heinous violations that occurred within the very walls meant to safeguard their young one.
