Acworth Man Convicted on Multiple Child Sex Trafficking Charges in Cherokee County

Acworth Man Convicted on Multiple Child Sex Trafficking Charges in Cherokee County

A Cherokee County jury has found an Acworth man guilty on multiple felony charges related to the sexual exploitation of a 15 year old girl, according to the Office of Cherokee Judicial Circuit District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway.

Jeremiah Nicholas Norwood, 44, of Acworth, was convicted May 15 following a five day trial in Cherokee County Superior Court. Jurors found Norwood guilty on all six charges he faced, including two counts of trafficking persons for sexual servitude, aggravated child molestation, statutory rape, and two counts of child molestation.

Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 13.

According to prosecutors, the case began in February 2022 after a 15 year old girl reported that an Uber driver had sexually assaulted her. Investigators with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office later identified the driver as Norwood.

Authorities said the victim used the Uber app during the early morning hours of Feb. 5, 2022, to request a ride to a friend’s house in Canton for a sleepover. During the drive, and again later that same morning, prosecutors said Norwood provided the child with various drugs in exchange for sexual acts.

During the trial, jurors heard testimony from nine witnesses, including law enforcement officers, a child sexual abuse expert, the victim and her friend, and forensic experts from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Prosecutors also presented more than 70 pieces of evidence, including the child’s recorded forensic interview, Norwood’s interview with investigators, forensic phone extraction reports, and photographs taken during the execution of a search warrant on the defendant’s vehicle.

After approximately four and a half hours of deliberation, the jury returned guilty verdicts on all charges.

The case was investigated by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Meaghan Frankish of the Special Victims Unit.

Canton Woman Sentenced in Death of 2 Year Old Child

A Canton woman has been sentenced after pleading guilty in the 2022 death of a two year old girl whose remains were discovered inside a storage bin in a Canton apartment.

According to the Office of the District Attorney for the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit, 44 year old Phillissa Diallo entered a non negotiated guilty plea on May 11 before Chief Superior Court Judge David L. Cannon Jr. Diallo pleaded guilty to murder in the second degree, cruelty to children in the second degree, and concealing the death of another in the death of Alyssa Rose Davis.

Judge Cannon sentenced Diallo to 37 years, with the first 21 years to be served in prison. He also ordered that she have no contact with the victim’s family.

The investigation began on December 14, 2022, when Diallo walked into the Canton Police Department to report a deceased child in her apartment on Hearthstone Landing Drive. Officers responding to the apartment discovered the mutilated remains of two year old Alyssa Rose Davis hidden inside a plastic storage container filled with a salt substance and concealed beneath other items in a closet.

Authorities said Diallo refused to provide additional details to investigators at the time.

An autopsy later determined Alyssa died from lethal levels of acetaminophen and diphenhydramine. Investigators were unable to pinpoint the exact date of death, though the child was last known to be alive on December 8, six days before her body was found.

Prosecutors said Alyssa had been in Diallo’s continuous care for more than two weeks leading up to her death. Ring camera footage obtained during the investigation allegedly showed Diallo leaving the child alone in the apartment for extended periods of time.

Investigators also confirmed the child’s mother remained in regular communication with Diallo and had no knowledge that her daughter had died until contacted by law enforcement.

During the plea hearing, Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Rachel Hines told the court that Diallo admitted Alyssa was still alive when she found her unresponsive, arguing that calling 911 or seeking medical assistance could have potentially saved the child’s life.

“Instead of taking steps to preserve the child’s health and well-being, the defendant demonstrated willful neglect,” Hines said in court. “She then took gruesome, unimaginable steps to conceal her death.”

Among the evidence presented by prosecutors were the storage bin used to conceal the remains, Ring camera footage showing Diallo bringing bleach into the apartment, and crime scene photographs with Blue Star forensic imaging indicating areas where blood had been cleaned.

The defense presented testimony from an independent expert who claimed Diallo was suffering from delusions. However, a Georgia Department of Behavioral Health expert testified that Diallo was not experiencing delusional thoughts at the time of the incident.

The victim’s mother also addressed the court in an emotional impact statement, saying she was “robbed” of her daughter and that her family would never recover from the loss.

Prosecutors had requested the maximum sentence allowed under Georgia law 40 years in prison while the defense asked the court for leniency.

The case was investigated by the Canton Police Department and prosecuted by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Rachel Hines with the Special Victims Unit for the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit.

Summer in Cherokee County: Concerts, Festivals, Farmers Markets and Small Town Traditions Fill the 2026 Calendar

From free concerts on the river to Saturday morning farmers markets and one of North Georgia’s biggest July 4th celebrations, summer in Cherokee County is packed with events that give residents plenty of reasons to stay close to home this season.

Across Canton, Woodstock, Ball Ground and Waleska, local communities are rolling out full calendars featuring outdoor concerts, arts festivals, family events, craft shows and weekly markets running through the fall.

Here is a look at some of the biggest events happening across Cherokee County this summer.

Canton Anchors the Summer Calendar

Downtown Canton once again serves as one of the busiest summer hubs in the county, with major events nearly every month.

The summer kicks off Saturday, May 16, with the Georgia Fire Truck Pull benefiting Curing Kids Cancer. Teams of firefighters and community members will compete to pull a 30,000-pound fire engine 50 feet while raising money for children battling cancer.

Music fans can also look forward to the popular River Rock Concert Series at Etowah River Park. The free concert lineup includes tribute bands, country music, and bluegrass performances throughout the summer:

* May 16: Departure, a Journey tribute band

* June 20: Pandora’s Box, an Aerosmith tribute

* July 18: Country artist Mark Wills

* August 15: Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder

Residents can also enjoy the Canton Farmers Market every Saturday at Brown Park, monthly First Friday events downtown, and Dollar Movie Thursdays at the Historic Canton Theatre throughout June and July.

Outdoor enthusiasts will have another major event on the calendar when the Georgia Outdoor Festival and Expo arrives at Cherokee Veterans Park June 20-21 with recreation vendors, demonstrations and family activities.

Canton’s annual July 4th parade and fireworks celebration is expected to once again draw large crowds downtown for one of the region’s biggest Independence Day events.

The summer schedule wraps up with two major late season events:

* The Chick-fil-A Cherokee County 5K on August 22

* Riverfest Arts and Crafts Festival on September 26-27 featuring more than 130 exhibitors and live entertainment

Woodstock Continues to Draw Regional Crowds

Just south of Canton, downtown Woodstock continues to build on its reputation as one of metro Atlanta’s most active entertainment districts.

The Woodstock Summer Concert Series at the Northside Hospital Cherokee Amphitheater returns with free shows that regularly attract thousands of attendees. This year’s lineup includes:

* June 13: Carly Pearce

* July 11: Midnight Star

* August 8: Pop 2000 Tour featuring Chris Kirkpatrick of NSYNC, O-Town and LFO

* September 12: Face 2 Face, an Elton John and Billy Joel tribute show

Woodstock’s Farm Fresh Market also continues its 13th season every Saturday morning on Market Street, featuring locally grown produce, baked goods and artisan vendors.

The city’s Brown Bag Concerts return every Thursday in September with free lunchtime music at The Park at City Center, while Family Fun Nights continue monthly through August.

Woodstock’s 29th Annual July 4th Spectacular will once again include a Freedom Run 5K, downtown parade, festival activities and a large fireworks display near Interstate 575 and Highway 92.

Art lovers can also stop by the Reeves House Visual Arts Center this summer for the annual juried exhibition featuring Southern artists working in painting, photography, sculpture and mixed media.

Small Town Markets Continue Across Cherokee County

While Canton and Woodstock host the largest events, smaller communities throughout Cherokee County continue to offer their own local traditions and weekly markets.

In downtown Ball Ground, the Lovin’ Local Market takes place Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. through October at City Park. The market features fresh produce, baked goods, handmade items and live acoustic music.

Meanwhile in Waleska, the Waleska Farmers Market opens Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. beginning in June beside City Hall. The quieter market near Reinhardt University offers an alternative to the larger weekend crowds found elsewhere in the county.

A Summer Calendar That Keeps Growing

With four farmers markets, multiple free concert series, community festivals and family friendly events stretching from May through September, Cherokee County’s summer calendar continues to grow alongside the county itself.

For many residents, these events are more than entertainment. They have become part of what defines life in Cherokee County, communities investing in public spaces, local traditions and events that continue bringing people together year after year.

Car Crashes Through Woodstock Tattoo Shop After Driver Suffers Medical Episode

A Woodstock GA tattoo shop is picking up the pieces after a vehicle crashed through the front of the business Sunday afternoon, leaving behind major structural damage and temporarily shutting down operations.

The crash happened at Hearts Tattoo and Piercing Company when a vehicle traveled through the front entrance and came to a stop inside the studio.

According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, the driver suffered a medical episode before the crash. Authorities said no serious injuries were reported.

Shop owner Tyler Valdivieso said the damage was extensive, destroying the front entrance and damaging a shared wall connected to a neighboring business. The studio now faces major repairs, including replacing the front door, rebuilding the front studio area, and repairing structural walls.

Valdivieso said seeing a vehicle sitting inside the business he built was devastating.

“This is literally my everything,” he said while describing the aftermath.

The closure affects six employees who rely on appointments and tattoo work as their primary source of income. According to Valdivieso, the shop had been fully booked throughout the month and was preparing for a community event later in May featuring live bands, local artists, and vendors.

“This is just detrimental for everyone,” he said, adding that the staff operates like a close-knit family and many employees have families of their own depending on the business staying open.

Despite the setback, support from the Woodstock community has already started pouring in as the business works through the insurance process and cleanup efforts.

Valdivieso said his focus now is getting the studio operational again in time for the planned end-of-May event, though no official reopening date has been announced.

It remains unclear how long repairs and the insurance claim process will take, or whether damage to the shared wall could impact neighboring businesses nearby.