Mark Thomas has been convicted of minor sex trafficking in Fulton and Cherokee counties. He has received two life sentences to be served concurrently.
The two cases against Thomas involve the same underage victim, who was trafficked in both jurisdictions over a period of several months in 2021. In addition to Thomas, four other men have also been convicted of trafficking this same underage female.
“These life sentences should send a message to all those who prey on our children – you will be vigorously pursued and aggressively prosecuted,” said Attorney General Chris Carr. “We will not rest in our efforts to protect our most vulnerable Georgians, and anyone who seeks to abuse and exploit them will be met with the full force of the law. We are proud of this latest outcome, and we will keep fighting until every person who engaged in the trafficking of this young woman is put behind bars.”
These cases were investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s (GBI) Human Exploitation and Trafficking (HEAT) Unit, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Atlanta Field Office and the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.
“These convictions are the result of the diligence of the GBI’s Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit, working alongside state and federal partners,” said GBI Director Mike Register. “Human trafficking victims deserve justice, and our agency will continue to work closely with the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit to investigate these deplorable crimes.”
“These sentences say loud and clear that predators like Thomas will be found and held accountable,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard, who oversees HSI operations in Georgia and Alabama. “Everyone in the community can breathe easier knowing he will no longer be able to victimize anyone, thanks to the great work by the agents, officers and law enforcement partners involved in the case.”
On May 19, 2023, Thomas pleaded guilty to the following charges in Fulton County Superior Court. He was sentenced to life in prison.
- 1 count of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude in violation of O.C.G.A. § 16-5-46(c): The defendant did knowingly subject and maintain a person under the age of 18 years for the purpose of sexual servitude.
- 1 count of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude in violation of O.C.G.A. § 16-5-46(c): The defendant did knowingly benefit financially from the sexual servitude of a person under the age of 18 years.
- 1 count of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude in violation of O.C.G.A. § 16-5-46(c): The defendant did knowingly transport a person under the age of 18 years to a hotel in Fulton County for the purpose of sexual servitude.
- 1 count of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude in violation of O.C.G.A. § 16-5-46(c): The defendant did knowingly transport a person under the age of 18 years to a hotel in Fulton County for the purpose of sexual servitude.
- 1 count of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude in violation of O.C.G.A. § 16-5-46(c): The defendant did knowingly transport a person under the age of 18 years to a hotel in Fulton County for the purpose of sexual servitude.
- 1 count of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude in violation of O.C.G.A. § 16-5-46(c): The defendant did knowingly transport a person under the age of 18 years to a hotel in Fulton County for the purpose of sexual servitude.
- 1 count of Battery in violation of O.C.G.A. § 16-5-23.1: The defendant did intentionally cause visible bodily harm by striking the victim on her head and face causing red marks and bleeding, using the hand of the defendant.
- 1 count of Battery in violation of O.C.G.A. § 16-5-23.1: The defendant did intentionally cause substantial bodily harm, to wit: pain, to the victim by striking the victim on her head and face with the hand of the defendant.
- 1 count of Aggravated Assault in violation of O.C.G.A. § 16-5-21: The defendant did make an assault upon the victim with a firearm, an object which when used offensively against a person is likely to result in serious bodily injury by striking the victim on her head with a firearm.
- 1 count of Child Molestation in violation of O.C.G.A. § 16-6-4(a): The defendant did commit an immoral and indecent act to a child under the age of 16 years with the intent to arouse and satisfy the sexual desires of the defendant by engaging in sexual intercourse with said child.
- 1 count of Aggravated Child Molestation in violation of O.C.G.A. § 16-6-4(c): The defendant did commit an immoral and indecent act to a child under the age of 16 years with the intent to arouse and satisfy the sexual desires of the defendant and said act involving an act of sodomy.
- 1 count of Cruelty to Children in the First Degree in violation of O.C.G.A. § 16-5-70: The defendant did maliciously cause a child under the age of 18 years cruel and excessive mental and physical pain by maintaining said child in sexual servitude through the use of drugs and alcohol and through the use of violence and threats of violence.
On May 25, 2023, Thomas pleaded guilty to the following charges in Cherokee County Superior Court. He was sentenced to life in prison.
- 1 count of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude in violation of O.C.G.A. § 16-5-46(c): The defendant did knowingly transport and provide a person under the age of 18 years for the purpose of sexual servitude.
- 1 count of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude in violation of O.C.G.A. § 16-5-46(c): The defendant did knowingly benefit financially from the sexual servitude of a person under the age of 18 years.
The Fulton and Cherokee County sentences will be served concurrently.