On June 14, a jury in Carroll County found 19-year-old Michael Jacob Brantley guilty of aggravated se*xual battery, se*xual battery against a child under the age of 16, and four counts of child molestation.
The investigation into Brantley began on October 26, 2021, when the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office received a referral from the Division of Family & Children Services regarding allegations of child molestation.
During the investigation, interviews were conducted with an 11-year-old male and a 12-year-old female victim. Both victims provided accounts of Brantley exposing himself to them, engaging in inappropriate touching, and an additional incident that occurred at his residence in 2021, told WSBTV.
A sergeant from the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office interviewed multiple individuals who revealed that Brantley had previously faced disciplinary action in school for inappropriate touching of girls and making inappropriate comments to students and teachers.
Authorities also interviewed school personnel, members of Brantley’s family, and Brantley himself. Search warrants were obtained for Brantley’s school records, his residence, and his cell phone.
Sheriff Terry Langley expressed pride in the dedicated work of the Criminal Investigations Division and their commitment to protecting children in the community when faced with such distressing incidents. He commended Sgt. Hope and her team for conducting a thorough investigation, gathering evidence, and securing a successful conviction that ensures Brantley will not be able to harm another child.
Brantley’s sentencing is scheduled for July 24, 2023. He faces the possibility of a life sentence in prison, along with an additional 88 years.
