Cherokee man who was charged with molestation found dead

He was taken to Northside Cherokee Hospital after deputies found him in his cell in a seated position.

CANTON — A Cherokee County inmate who was indicted for taking three girls from a group home in April, giving them methamphetamine and sexually assaulting them, died Friday after being found in his cell with a ligature around his neck, according to Cherokee Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Sgt. Marianne Kelley.

John Gordon Boatwright Jr., 34, of Woodstock, was taken to Northside Cherokee Hospital after deputies found him in his cell in a seated position with a ligature around his neck at about 2:12 a.m., she said.

“Lifesaving efforts were attempted by deputies and medical staff before he was transported to Northside Cherokee Hospital by EMS where he was pronounced deceased,” Kelley said.

Boatwright had been in custody since March when he was arrested for aggravated sexual battery, three counts of child molestation, sexual battery, enticing a child for indecent purposes, three counts of interference with custody, three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and burglary, she said.

He was being held without bond due to the charges. No other inmates were in his cell at the time of the incident, Kelley said.

“Boatwright’s body will be taken to the GBI Crime Lab for an autopsy,” Kelley said. “As in any in-custody death, the GBI will be investigating the incident.”

Kelley said the door to Boatwright’s cell was closed and secure.

“No one else was in the cell with him,” she said.