In a harrowing case of sex trafficking involving a young teen in DeKalb County, two men have been convicted and sentenced for their abhorrent actions. According to an article published by the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office, Algie Christian, 79, has been sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude, Aggravated Sexual Battery, and Child Molestation. Terrill Sanford, 42, also convicted of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude, has received a 50-year sentence, with 30 years to be served in custody and the remainder on probation.
The convictions are the result of a DeKalb County Police Department investigation initiated after a motel security guard observed a disturbing scene on their premises. On July 28, 2022, the security guard, having seen a woman trying to catch a juvenile on hotel property, called an ambulance when the woman was out of breath and appeared shaken. The girl confided to responding officers that she was trying to run away because she was "tired of being touched by her 'grandfather'," a man later identified as Algie Christian, the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office reported.
Upon police arriving, the young victim expressed her fears of returning to her motel room, recounting the continuous abuse she suffered at the hands of Christian. The victim detailed how she resided with Christian and the Sanfords in 2021, where the exploitation began, and lamentably persisted after relocating to the motel. Despite notifying Terrill Sanford of the abuse, he took no action to protect her, instead allowing the exploitation to continue in exchange for rent money and employment – as detailed in her conversation with authorities.
When questioned by the police, Sanford admitted to receiving financial assistance from Christian but denied knowledge of the sexual abuse, though he did admit Christian helped pay their rent and offered him jobs - claims corroborated by another security guard who witnessed Sanford accompany the girl to Christian's car on multiple occasions. Christian, initially denying any wrongdoing during his arrest, ultimately conceded to having sexual contact with the young teen, according to police reports obtained by the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office.
The case was diligently prosecuted by the Child Crimes Unit, with Senior Assistant District Attorney Ashley Warmack leading the charge, supported by Senior Assistant District Attorney Rachel Plevak, District Attorney Investigator Haley Hines, and Victim Advocate Jenaiya Coleman. DeKalb County Police Department Detective G.R. Moore spearheaded the initial investigation that brought these men to justice, as relayed by the District Attorney's Office.
