GILMER COUNTY, Ga. – A Gilmer County man has been sentenced to 60 years, with 40 years to be served in prison, following his conviction on 118 counts of Sexual Exploitation of Children.

Ronald Richardson was sentenced Sept. 2 following an investigation that began in December 2024 after a Gilmer High School student reported concerning behavior to a School Resource Officer.

According to the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office, the report prompted an extensive investigation that ultimately uncovered hundreds of images and videos depicting child sexual abuse, including digitally altered images involving minors from the local community.

Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson praised the student who came forward and credited that report with helping investigators uncover the scope of the activity.

“First and foremost, I want to recognize the young person who had the courage to speak up,” Nicholson said. “One report started an investigation that ultimately uncovered the scope of what was happening and allowed us to put a stop to it.”

Nicholson also commended the sheriff’s office investigators, School Resource Officers and others who assisted with the investigation.

“Investigations of this nature are difficult, time-consuming and emotionally demanding, but protecting children is among the most important responsibilities we have,” Nicholson said.

The sheriff also thanked the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office, the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for their assistance and partnership throughout the case.

Nicholson also expressed appreciation to Judge Grant Brantley for his handling of the case and the sentence imposed following Richardson’s conviction.

The sheriff said the case also highlights the seriousness of child exploitation involving technology and digitally altered or artificial-intelligence-generated material.

“Exploiting children — whether through physical acts, photographs, technology or artificial intelligence — is not harmless, and it will be taken seriously,” Nicholson said.

Richardson’s sentence includes 40 years in prison, which Nicholson described as a significant punishment.

“I hope today brings some measure of justice and closure to the victims and their families,” Nicholson said.