A Marietta man is facing a felony child molestation charge after Smyrna police say he exposed himself to four juveniles at two separate locations, then threw a beer can at one of the victims who was recording the encounter on a cellphone. Horace Eli Tucker was arrested the same day the incidents allegedly occurred and remains held without bond at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center.
According to the Marietta Daily Journal, Tucker faces a child molestation charge after alleged incidents in Smyrna.
Beer Can Thrown at Teen Who Filmed the Encounter
The second alleged incident took place outside a granite supply store at 2372 Ventura Road in Smyrna. During that encounter, Tucker allegedly threw the contents of a beer can toward one juvenile before throwing a half-full can at the same victim from close range. The teen jumped out of the way, and police said the victim recorded the entire interaction on a cellphone — video that could factor into how prosecutors build their case.
Smyrna police arrested Tucker the same day, and he was booked into the Cobb County Adult Detention Center, which serves as the county's primary pretrial facility under the direction of the Cobb County Sheriff's Office.
Felony and Misdemeanor Charges Combine
Tucker faces one count of felony child molestation along with misdemeanor charges of public indecency and simple assault. Under Georgia Code § 16-6-4, child molestation involves an immoral or indecent act performed to, with, or in the presence of a child under 16 with intent to satisfy sexual desires, according to Georgia Criminal Lawyer.
The public indecency charge stems from Georgia Code § 16-6-8, which covers lewd exposure of sexual organs or lewd conduct in a public place. First and second offenses are prosecuted as misdemeanors carrying up to 12 months in jail and fines up to $1,000, though a third conviction escalates to a felony punishable by one to five years in prison, per the Law Offices of Blake A. Poole. The simple assault count is tied to the thrown beer can.
Tucker Held Without Bond
Tucker is being held in custody without bond.
Whether Tucker has prior criminal convictions, whether prosecutors will pursue additional counts tied to the cellphone video, and when his Superior Court bond hearing will be scheduled remain open questions for now. The case adds to a string of recent Cobb County sex-crime arrests, including a restaurant patio sex act arrest reported last month.
