Local child molester convicted

On Tuesday, August 25, 2026, a Glynn County jury found 41-year-old William Dawson guilty of the Aggravated Child Molestation of his 10-year-old step-granddaughter. Judge Roger B. Lane sentenced him to life in prison. The case was prosecuted by Meghan Chitty and David Studdard.

At trial, the evidence showed that Dawson began sexually abusing the victim when she was only 5 years old, and he continued to sexually abuse her until she was 10. Dawson was married to the victim’s maternal grandmother who had custody of the victim and her siblings. Dawson homeschooled the children, giving him unfettered access to the victim.

Assistant District Attorney Meghan Chitty thanks Paxton Edgy with the Glynn County Police Department for his investigation of this case and Jessica Jackson, Victim Advocate for the District Attorney’s Office, for her assistance in the case.