Canton Man Convicted of Raping Child Sentenced to 25 Years of Prison

A Canton man who pleaded guilty to raping a child will serve 25 years in prison and the rest of his life on probation, the Cherokee County District Attorney's Office announced.

Jeremy Lenard Varner, 43, of Canton, pled guilty on April 17 to three counts of rape.

He entered a negotiated plea, and Superior Court Judge Ellen McElyea sentenced Varner to 25 years to serve in prison without the possibility of parole, followed by life on probation subject to sex offender special conditions.

Charges stem from a Cherokee Sheriff’s Office investigation that began on November 8, 2018, when a child told a relative that Varner had raped her multiple times. After an investigation that included a forensic interview conducted by the Anna Crawford Children’s Center, Varner was arrested and charged.

“This defendant was known to the child and her family, and he used this access to engage in sexual acts with an innocent little girl, raping her in her own bedroom,” said Assistant District Attorney Alana J. Driscoll, who prosecuted the case. “When this brave girl finally had the courage to tell her family what had occurred, they immediately called law enforcement.”

“This young victim has been incredibly strong throughout this process, but emotional scars can take a lifetime to heal. Through this negotiated plea, justice was served and the victim was spared from reliving this trauma in front of a jury,” District Attorney Susan Treadaway said. “The victim and her family can now move forward with their lives knowing that this sex offender will spend the next 25 years in prison.”

To report suspected child abuse, call Child Protective Services at 855-422-4453. If the child is in immediate danger, call 911.