Hart Factbook 2009

Ohio man arrested in molestation case

The Internet is a dangerous place and one 14-year-old Hart County girl found out the hard way.

Kerry Mason, 44, of Ashtabula, Ohio, portrayed himself as a 17-year-old boy from Athens, as he talked to the girl in a Christian chat room beginning in March 2003, according to Special Agent Shawn M. Stallo of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Hart County Sheriff Mike Cleveland said Mason made a trip to Georgia in January 2004, but made no contact with the girl.

However, on a second trip to Georgia, purportedly in March 2004, Mason went to the girl's Hart County residence where she was alone, her parents being away. There the two had sexual intercourse.

The girl told Stallo that she had not known how old Mason was until he showed up at her door.

She said she was in fear for her life, and felt that if she did not comply with Mason's wishes, he would harm her, Stallo's affidavit said.

Georgia law states that no one younger than 16 may consent to sexual intercourse.

The girl told a relative this May what had happened, and an investigation into the incident was launched in June, Stallo stated.

Hart County Sheriff's Office investigator Frankie Gray, along with Stallo, flew to Ashtabula to assist city law enforcement officers there to make the arrest.

At the same time, Mason's computer and related material were seized.

Mason was returned to Georgia, arrested and booked in the Hart County jail, charged with aggravated child molestation.

The Ashtabula police said Mason has a record but the file of his past activities was lost, according to Cleveland.

Bail was denied by Magistrate Judge Selma Cheely and Cleveland expects bail will be denied by the Hart County Superior Court.

Cleveland said he expected it will be two years before Mason goes to court.

"This little girl is lucky," the sheriff said, "She could be dead. This man is definitely a predator of children."

edithgaines@hartcom.net