59-year-old Troy Hickman of Canton, Georgia has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted of sexually exploiting a disabled relative on several occasions, reports FOX. Hickman was charged with

“two counts of aggravated sexual battery and two counts of exploitation and intimidation of a disabled adult,”

and pleaded guilty back in May.

The man was arrested after his disabled relative informed a friend about the unfortunate encounters last year. Fox reported that the acts began when she was 18 years old. After the woman, who was intellectually disabled, told a friend, the friend then reported the man to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, reports FOX 5 Atlanta.

Officials later learned that the woman and Hicks were around each other often during the years he abused her. The unnamed relative disclosed what Hickman did to her to investigators from the Anna Crawford Children’s Center. 

Elliot Stone, Assistant District Attorney of the Domestic Violence Unit said,

“Victims of sexual assault are often afraid to come forward, and that was certainly the case here. The victim is intellectually disabled and had been subjected to repeated threats of harm by this defendant as he attempted to prevent her from revealing the abuse. She bravely overcame that fear by seeking help.” 

Although the man admitted to committing the crime, he blamed his actions on alcohol while also indicating that the woman played a part in it. 

After his time is served, he will remain on probation for the remainder of his life and can’t contact the victim or her family members. He also has to do a sexual evaluation and undergo rehabilitation for substance abuse and comply with the specific requirements for sex offenders.

Susan K. Treadaway, the district attorney said,

“The victim looked to this defendant as a father figure, and it is despicable that he would manipulate her trust and vulnerability for his own sexual desires… Our hope is the victim and her family will find peace and healing in knowing that this defendant has received justice for his crimes and that he will never again be able to hurt another individual in this way.”

#Clique, what are your thoughts?