DALLAS, Ga. — A Paulding County judge on Feb. 3, 2026 sentenced a Hiram man to life in prison after a jury convicted him of sexually abusing a 6-year-old child, closing a case prosecutors say began when the child bravely disclosed the abuse to a trusted adult nearly two years earlier.
Javier Emmanuel Sable, 42, of Hiram, was sentenced in Paulding County Superior Court following his conviction on charges of aggravated child molestation and child molestation, according to the Paulding County District Attorney’s Office.
The jury returned guilty verdicts on Jan. 9, 2026, after deliberating for approximately one day at the conclusion of a four-day jury trial.
Investigation Began After Child Reported Abuse
The case began Aug. 8, 2024, when the child reported the abuse to a guardian, prompting an investigation by the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, including detectives assigned to the agency’s Crimes Against Children Unit.
Authorities said the investigation led to Sable’s arrest and prosecution on charges stemming from sexual acts committed against the young victim.
During the trial, the child took the stand to testify — a moment prosecutors described as pivotal in the case.
Four-Day Trial Ends With Guilty Verdict
Prosecutors presented testimony from investigators and other witnesses during the four-day trial in Paulding County Superior Court.
The jury deliberated for about a day before returning guilty verdicts on both counts, finding Sable responsible for the sexual abuse of the child.
Senior Assistant District Attorney Jason Treadaway and Assistant District Attorney Christina Morgan Young prosecuted the case on behalf of the Paulding County District Attorney’s Office.
Following the verdict, Paulding County District Attorney Robert S. Lane praised the victim’s courage and the work of investigators who helped bring the case to trial.
“For this child, innocence was stolen,” Lane said in a statement. “Such evil poses a grave threat to our community and will be met with full accountability under the law.”
Judge Imposes Life Sentence
Sable returned to court weeks later for sentencing. On Feb. 3, 2026, a Superior Court judge sentenced him to life in prison, the maximum penalty available under Georgia law for aggravated child molestation.
Under Georgia law, aggravated child molestation can carry a sentence of life in prison, while child molestation carries a possible penalty of five to 20 years for a first offense.
Community Impact
Officials say the case highlights the critical role of victims and families in reporting abuse and the work of specialized investigators tasked with protecting children.
The child’s testimony, prosecutors said, helped ensure accountability in a case that began with a single disclosure and ultimately led to a life sentence for the offender.
Sable remains in custody and will serve his sentence in the Georgia Department of Corrections.
