An area man accused of the aggravated sexual assault of a teen with Down syndrome has been sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Uriah Alexander Grant, 45, was convicted in a bench trial of aggravated sexual assault and cruelty to children in the first degree. The crimes took place in Richmond County exactly four years ago on July 3, 2021, Augusta Circuit District Attorney Jared Williams said.
“Despite having difficulty telling the events of what happened to strangers after the incident, the victim was able to bravely tell the court in her own words the truth of what happened,” Williams said in a statement.
Assistant District Attorney Gabe Gonzalez-Acevedo worked diligently to help the victim describe the incident, Williams said. Her testimony was corroborated by several witnesses, including family members, he said.
According to prior reports, Grant was attending a family gathering in Augusta when the victim’s mother noticed he was taking a while to return from using the bathroom. The mother found the victim and Grant in a room with the lights off and Grant pulling up his pants, the reports said.
Grant, then a Hephzibah resident, previously blamed the victim for his crimes. But at trial, he denied touching her, the statement said.
“The court saw through his lies, finding him guilty and sentencing him to 25 years in prison,” Williams said.
Richmond County Superior Court Judge Ashley Wright sentenced Grant to life on probation as a sex offender after his prison term, he said.
In addition to the 25 years, Richmond County Superior Court Judge Ashley Wright sentenced Grant to life on probation as a sex offender after his prison term, he said.
“Justice has finally been achieved for such a vulnerable victim, and this predator is finally behind bars,” Gonzalez-Acevedo said.
