Child rapist sentenced to 4 life sentences plus 180 years

By Kathy Jefcoats
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 03/05/07 5:00 PM

A registered sex offender was sentenced Monday in Spalding County to four consecutive life sentences plus 180 years after being convicted last week of 10 counts of child molestation and rape.

Jackson Chambers, 29, also known as Johnny Ralph Chambers, was known to the two female victims as “Uncle Jackson,” said Griffin County Assistant District Attorney Rudjard Hayes, but is not related to the girls.

The victims, who are sisters, were 11 and 9 at the time of the assaults, Hayes said. They are now 13 and 11 and testified against Chambers during his two-day trial that started Feb. 26.

“They were phenomenal witnesses,” Hayes said, “and so relieved at this sentence.”

Chambers was convicted after about 20 minutes of jury deliberation Tuesday, Hayes said, but Superior Court Judge Paschal English delayed sentencing while he researched the possibility of chemical castration for Chambers.

“That law has been repealed so it is not an option,” Hayes said.

Chambers had previously been convicted of child molestation in 1999 and sentenced to five years. Hayes said the girls’ mother knew about the conviction but allowed Chambers to spend time with her daughters anyway. Chambers volunteered to baby-sit the pair and took them on bike rides.

“We charged the mother with misdemeanor obstruction because she interfered with our investigation,” Hayes said.

Hayes said the girls are now in their father’s custody.