District Attorney Keith Higgins announces that on Friday, April 19, 2024, Terell Eugene Bacon, 33, of Brunswick, GA, was found guilty by a Glynn County jury of three counts of Child Molestation against a 13-year-old girl. The jury deliberated for one hour before reaching its verdict.
The evidence presented at trial showed that on September 5, 2022, Bacon—who was 31 years old at the time, a married father, and who lived in the same neighborhood as the 13-year-old victim—approached the victim while she was walking her dog in the neighborhood during the evening hours. Bacon took advantage of the fact that the girl had her phone flashlight on, deceitfully using that as a means of asking her to come over to his residence to help him look for something. Bacon seized the opportunity he created to then begin conversing with the 13-year-old victim, grooming her by complimenting her body, and then began to fondle her. Bacon and the victim exchanged phone numbers. Later that evening, the two conversed through text message; Bacon convinced the girl to sneak out of her house after she had “gone to bed,” so her parents wouldn’t know. Bacon met her nearby and picked her up in his vehicle. He drove her to a nearby gas station and then to a nearby county park where he had sexual intercourse with the girl.
The defendant continued to pursue the victim, which was evidenced through text messages and calls throughout the month of September. Bacon convinced the girl on at least two other occasions to meet up and engage in further sexual intercourse.
The victim eventually told her mother and father, and her father notified the police. Glynn County Police Department (GCPD) Detective Anthony Clark was the lead detective assigned to the case, and he set up a forensic interview with the Safe Harbor Children’s Advocacy Center in Brunswick. During the interview, the 13-year-old victim met with forensic interviewer Deja (Moye) Lott and disclosed specific details of what occurred during the sexual abuse.
As part of his investigation, Detective Clark went to the nearby gas station and was able to gather video footage of Bacon and his vehicle on the date and near the time, corroborating what the victim told police.
Detective Clark subsequently took out warrants for Bacon’s arrest. During his post-arrest interview, Bacon downplayed his relationship with the 13-year-old child but made statements such as, “that little girl” and “you know when a girl wants you man.” He first stated the victim never got in his vehicle and then later changed his story. Bacon continued to lie throughout the interview, which was further evidenced by his story changing when confronted with his photo at the gas station. A search of Bacon’s cell phone also showed that he had the victim’s phone number listed in his phone but had changed the contact’s name to a male’s name and deleted the contact and text messages, demonstrating a consciousness of guilt.
Immediately following the jury verdict of guilty on all three counts of Child Molestation, Bacon was sentenced before Glynn County Superior Court Judge Roger B. Lane to a total of 60 years with the first 59 years to be served in the Georgia Department of Corrections. This is the maximum sentence allowable by law.
The case was prosecuted for the State by Assistant District Attorney Leland McElveen, who stated, “In today’s society, we tell children to speak out, to come forward, that they will be believed. Today, the jury’s verdict spoke the truth and held Terell Bacon, a 31-year-old predator who preyed on a 13-year-old child, accountable for his actions. I would specifically like to thank GCPD Detective Anthony Clark for his professionalism and excellent investigative work and Deja (Moye) Lott of the Safe Harbor Children’s Center for her passion for victims and her amazing testimony at trial illustrating the child victim’s trauma and disclosure.”
Members of the media with further questions may contact the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office at 912-554-7200.
