Kennesaw councilman pleads guilty to child molestation

Kennesaw councilman Leonard Church stood in Cobb Superior Court Monday and admitted he was guilty of sexually abusing a 9-year-old boy and possessing what prosecutors say was nearly 1,000 images of child pornography.

Church, who was also a two-term mayor of Kennesaw, pleaded guilty to two counts of child molestation and four counts of sexual exploitation of children.

The 67-year-old was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Mary Staley to 40 years — 18 years behind bars, with the remainder to be served on probation as a registered sex offender.

Cobb District Attorney Vic Reynolds said Church’s lawyers approached his office about a potential plea agreement on Friday. The terms were finalized over the weekend, when the victim’s family signed off on the deal.

Reynolds said the family was in favor of the deal because it would force Church to admit his guilt, and would spare the boy from testifying.

“I think citizens win in a couple of ways: he’s accepted responsibility and he’ll be locked up for a long period of time,” Reynolds said. “The reality is he is 67 years old and has an 18-year prison sentence. If he is released [alive], he’ll be under strict supervision … for the rest of his life.”

Church’s trail was scheduled to begin Monday morning. He faced a maximum sentence of life in prison plus 120 years, if convicted on all counts. He had previously rejected a plea offer that would have sent him to prison for 15 years.

He was emotional in accepting responsibility. When Staley asked if he was guilty of the charges, Church was barely able to say the words: “Yes, ma’am.”

Church was accused of showing images of child pornography to a 9-year-old boy in the councilman’s home, then twice molested him. Prosecutor Hannah Palmquist said Church initially asked the boy if he wanted to play computer games, then instead pulled up the illegal images.

The boy was injured while being molested, but the district attorney reduced the charge of aggravated child molestation in exchange for the guilty plea. Aggravated child molestation carries a life sentence with 25-year minimum.

Staley said she accepted the plea, in part, because: “This is a sentence that has been fashioned to promote public safety, protect the victim and the public and speaks loudly to others that this behavior will not be tolerated.”

Church had continued to serve on the Kennesaw council, after his arrest and indictment. Gov. Nathan Deal can now appoint a replacement for Church's seat until the city can hold a special election.