Paulding man gets 18 years in prison for molesting 2 teenage relatives

A Paulding County man will spend 18 years in prison for molesting two 13-year-olds, but his sentence will hang over him for more than four additional decades.

Dustin Dodd accepted a negotiated plea deal Tuesday for four counts of child molestation, the Paulding County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release. He admitted to molesting the teenagers, who are related to him, in the spring of 2017.

The victims reported the abuse to a family member, who contacted the sheriff’s office, the release said. The victims “were incredibly strong and read victim impact statements” during the hearing.

Judge Dean Bucci sentenced Dodd to 18 years in prison followed by 42 years on probation, the release said.

He will have to register as a sex offender and will be prohibited from contacting anyone under the age of 18, in addition to his victims.