Judge sentences man to life imprisonment for sexually abusing his granddaughter

On Thursday, May 2, 2024, a Spalding County jury convicted Raymond “Mark” Statham, Sr. of aggravated sodomy, aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, and simple assault.

Judge Ben D. Coker of the Spalding County Superior Court sentenced the defendant to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole for aggravated sodomy, 25 years imprisonment followed by life probation for aggravated sexual assault subsequent to the first charge, and 12 months each for sexual assault and simple assault.

The State was represented by Chief Assistant District Attorney Audrey D. Holliday and Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Richardson. Investigator Brad Jones of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case.

The State presented evidence that on the evening of August 6, 2022, Raymond “Mark” Statham Sr. took advantage of the opportunity to be home alone with his granddaughter. As she simply went to get a drink, in a house where she was comfortable and where she had bathed throughout the day, Mr. Statham grabbed her by the arms and laid her on the couch.

He then committed aggravated sodomy and aggravated sexual abuse on the victim. During the attack, he also pulled down his pants and removed his penis. To further support Mr. Statham’s intent to sexually gratify himself on young girls, the State also presented evidence of an assault Mr. Statham committed on another young girl in 1984.

ADA Holliday stated, “Children should feel comfortable in a family home. Children who call their grandfather Poppa should feel comfortable being left alone with him. The actions of Raymond ‘Mark’ Statham Sr. are despicable and the court’s verdict sent that message to him. Victims of family sexual abuse have a scar on their souls. Mark Statham Sr. changed the lives of his victims forever and our firm will continue to support victims of sexual abuse through vigorous prosecution.

“My investigator Misty Gresham, my victim advocate Dericka Pruitt, my assistant Lauren Pitner and Inv. Jones worked tirelessly on this case for weeks to achieve this conviction and I couldn’t be prouder of them.”

“The life story of children who have been sexually abused has a dividing line – the before and the after. My office will continue to support every victim of sexual abuse that comes our way, not only through our services, but also through our vigorous prosecution of all perpetrators of these horrific crimes,” District Attorney Marie Broder said of the crime.