A 32-year-old man will spend the next 20 years behind bars after he pleaded guilty to statutory sexual offense with a child under the age of 15, according to Cherokee County Sheriff Derrick Palmer.
Charles Anthony 'CJ' Payne was sentenced last week.
Sheriff Palmer says in September 2020, his office began an investigation into a missing girl.
Detectives determined Payne to be a person of interest in the case.
Sheriff Palmer says they gathered evidence including cellphone data, social media posts and messages and biological evidence that led them to believe Payne abducted the girl.
A grand jury indicted Payne in March 2021.
Payne will serve a total of 262 months in prison, with 560 days pretrial confinement credited to his sentence.
After his release, he'll be required to register as a sexual offender for 30 years and have no contact with the victim.
Sheriff Palmer's release did not clarify the current status of the victim.
Depend on us to keep you posted as we learn more.