Richard Brehm

CHATSWORTH, Ga. — A Murray County jury found a 30-year-old Chatsworth man guilty of two counts of child molestation in a case in which law enforcement officials said the abuse occurred over four years and began when the victim was 5.

Richard Scott Brehm, of 1178 Highway 225 S.-32, is scheduled to be sentenced on April 17. The jury found him not guilty of statutory rape.

Under Georgia law, an initial conviction for child molestation carries a sentence ranging from five to 20 years in prison.

The trial began on Tuesday and the verdicts were reached Wednesday evening. Superior Court Judge Jim Wilbanks presided over the trial.

Brehm was arrested by the Murray County Sheriff’s Office in January of 2017 after allegations of abuse were brought to the sheriff’s office’s attention. Detective Brett Morrison handled the investigation. Chief Deputy Jimmy Davenport said the abuse began when the victim was 5.

“Once the complaint was made, the investigation was turned over to Detective Morrison, and his investigation was quickly able to determine the extent of the case and make the necessary charges,” Davenport said. “It was handled very quickly and thoroughly.”

Assistant District Attorney Ben Kenemer prosecuted the case for the state. District Attorney Bert Poston lauded Morrison’s work.

“Detective Brett Morrison, as usual, did an excellent job,” Poston said. “It would have been tough to prosecute it without him and we would like to thank him for his service to Murray County.”

After the verdicts were announced, Brehm was booked into the county jail. He had been released on a $10,000 bond after his arrest. His attorney Jerry Moncus said Brehm plans to appeal.

“We respect the jury’s decision, and we have a sentencing date,” Moncus said. “At that point of time, we will file motions for a new trial and will be going forward with the appellate process.”

Moncus declined to comment on specifics for the basis for the appeal.

“There are issues we think would be justifiable appellate issues that we would put forth,” Moncus said.