A 45-year-old McDonough man turned himself in to authorities Thursday and was charged with sexually molesting the 15-year-old daughter of a family friend, Henry County police said.
William Leonard Abbate was booked into Henry County Jail on multiple charges including aggravated child molestation, statutory rape and sexual exploitation of children, police said. Additional charges are expected from other jurisdictions, they said.
A professional shooter, Abbate was a coach to the victim and traveled with her and her shooting team to other states, police said.
While most of the molestations occurred in Abbate’s home and at his farm in Butts County, others are believed to have occurred in other states, police said. Henry County police learned of the allegations when the victim’s father contacted the department.
The victim gave detectives a timeline based on her professional travel schedule, and this helped identify specific place and dates where the incidents occurred, police said.
Henry County detectives executed search warrants at Abbate’s residence and farm and obtained evidence that supported the victim’s statements, police said. Investigators also interviewed witnesses.
The investigation is continuing.
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