Peach County man convicted of child molestation after week-long trial

A Peach County jury has convicted a 37-year-old man of multiple child molestation charges after a week-long trial, according to the Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office.

FORT VALLEY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Peach County jury has convicted a 37-year-old man of multiple child molestation charges after a week-long trial, according to the Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office.

Jurors found Deshawn Courtney Mathis guilty of aggravated child molestation, two counts of child molestation and enticing a child for indecent Purposes. The verdict came after less than 30 minutes of deliberation, according to a news release.

The charges stem from incidents that occurred between 2012 and 2013, when the victims were about five and six years old. The victims, now teenagers, came forward in 2023 during a family therapy session. A third child also provided corroborating testimony about similar incidents.

“I cannot say enough about the courage it took for these girls to come into the courtroom and to give their testimony about the heinous acts committed upon them by someone they should have been able to trust to protect them,” Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney Anita Howard said. “Their bravery in these difficult circumstances and in bringing their truth to light is an example to us all. I also commend the jury for sending the message to this community that such behavior against our most vulnerable will not be tolerated.”

Mathis faces a maximum sentence of life plus 70 years. Sentencing was postponed at the defendant’s request.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Neil Halvorson and Chief Assistant Cindy Adams led the prosecution. The Peach County Sheriff’s Office and forensic staff at Children’s Tree House in Columbus, Georgia, assisted in the investigation and prosecution.