Molesters get heavy sentences

Samuel Lopez is sentenced to 125 years in prison on charges of rape, incest and molestation.

Tallapoosa Circuit District Attorney Jack Browning announced the end to several cases during the opening weeks of the month that include long sentences for two men convicted on child molestation charges.

Samuel Lopez, a Florida man arrested in Polk County initially in May 2016 on a child molestation charge, pled guilty to rape, incest, child molestation, cruelty to children in the first degree and sexual battery against a child under 16.

During a Jan. 12 sentencing, he received 125 years to serve at least 25 years in prison concurrently, with $4,100 in fines as well.

Also expected to be in jail for a long time to come is David Anthony Darden of a Rockmart address.

He received three life sentences following his conviction on aggravated child molestation, and aggravated sexual battery, along with other charges according to Browning.

Browning also cited three other cases from the past weeks as well. He said that Travonte Trammel was convicted on possession of a firearm by a convicted felon for five years, and will serve two in prison in a recent case.

Additionally, Octavius Harshaw received a five year sentence after a conviction on charges of riot in a penal institution, and Bradley Otis Godfrey received 20 years to serve 5 on a first degree burglary conviction.

The sentencing of Lopez and Darden to long prison terms brings to an end several cases on the judicial calendar as the year moves forward in local courts. More cases have yet to be decided at trial.