Trenton man convicted of rape, sex trafficking involving two minor victims

DADE COUNTY, Ga. – A Trenton man has been convicted of multiple sexual offenses involving two minor victims following a two-day trial in Dade County.

Virgil Travis Gilliam, 53, was found guilty by a Dade County jury of rape, aggravated sodomy, three counts of aggravated child molestation, trafficking of a minor for sexual servitude and three counts of child molestation. The trial, presided over by Chief Judge Brian House, concluded Oct. 20.

According to evidence presented at trial, Gilliam raped and sodomized a 4-year-old girl and subjected her to sexual servitude by taking her to the homes of other men and forcing her to have sex with them in exchange for money.

The abuse came to light years later when the child disclosed the allegations to Dade County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Chris Gravitt. During a forensic interview at a Children’s Advocacy Center, the victim described extensive sexual and physical abuse allegedly committed by Gilliam.

A sexual assault examination of the child revealed injuries that were consistent with her account of sexual abuse, according to prosecutors.

The investigation also identified a second victim who authorities said had been sexually assaulted by Gilliam when she was 15 years old.

Investigators also found data on Gilliam’s cellphone from adult pornography websites containing references to incest and sex trafficking, according to evidence presented during the trial.

Gravitt’s investigation into Gilliam’s history uncovered allegations involving additional victims. Prosecutors presented evidence that in 1995, when Gilliam was 22, he impregnated a 13-year-old girl in Dade County and married her three months before she gave birth to their child.

Additional evidence showed that in 2010, in DeKalb County, Alabama, Gilliam raped a 13-year-old girl and subjected her to sex trafficking by forcing her to have sex with another man in exchange for Gilliam receiving televisions and furniture, according to prosecutors. Gilliam was never arrested or formally charged in either of those incidents.

The two victims in the current case were accompanied and supported during the trial by members of Bikers Against Child Abuse, or B.A.C.A., a worldwide charitable organization whose members work to support children who have experienced abuse.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Kevin Baugh prosecuted the case with assistance from Administrative Assistants Tamara Clayton, Crystal McNabb and Jessica Pressnell; Victim-Witness Services Director Amy Reed; and Chief Investigator Christy Smith.

Following the verdict, Baugh credited Gravitt and the Dade County Sheriff’s Office with the investigation.

“Chris Gravitt dedicated countless hours to this investigation and provided our office with extensive evidence that was crucial in obtaining a conviction in this case and helping take this dangerous sexual predator off the streets,” Baugh said. “Our community is now safer thanks to his efforts.”

A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled but is expected to take place next week, according to prosecutors.

Under Georgia law, Gilliam faces a maximum potential sentence of life without the possibility of parole for the crimes.