Houston County former assistant principal sentenced to life for child sex crimes

WARNER ROBINS — A former Northside High School assistant principal was found guilty of child sex acts and sentenced to prison this week after a three-day trial, the Houston County District Attorney’s Office said.

According to a press release, on Feb. 11, Joshua Mason, of Warner Robins, was convicted of aggravated child molestation, incest and aggravated sodomy; he was sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years. If granted parole, he must register as a sex offender.

The DA’s office said the abuse involved a child to whom Mason was related, who was eight years old when the abuse began. The abuse lasted for nine years and included at least three separate criminal sex acts in Houston County.

After the child reported the incident to law enforcement, investigators discovered Mason’s DNA on a carpet where the victim said he had performed an act. This evidence was presented during the trial as proof against him.

Sgt. Kevin Harper of the Houston County Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Investigations Division primarily investigated the case. Mason was sentenced by Houston County Superior Court Judge Amy Smith and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Elizabeth McDaniel and Justin Duane.

McDaniel and District Attorney Eric Edwards provided comments.

McDaniel said, “I am grateful for the work that the jury did this week and for the closure this verdict will provide to the family of the victim. The jury rendered a verdict that speaks the truth, and the truth is that the children of Houston County must be protected from predators. Today, there is one less predator on the streets of our county. I would like to thank Sgt. Kevin Harper for his work on this case. Our job is not possible without the dedicated work of the law enforcement agencies in Houston County.”

Edwards said, “This case represents one of the most serious breaches of trust our justice system is ever called upon to confront. For nearly a decade, a child was subjected to repeated sexual abuse by someone who should have been a protector. The jury listened carefully to the evidence, including the victim’s testimony and the forensic proof presented at trial, and returned a verdict that reflects the truth of what occurred. The sentence imposed ensures that this defendant will never again have the opportunity to harm a child in our community.

“I am deeply grateful to the jury for the seriousness with which they approached this case, to the Houston County Sheriff’s Office for the thorough investigation, and to Assistant District Attorneys Elizabeth McDaniel and Justin Duane for their careful and courageous prosecution. Protecting children is among the most solemn responsibilities of this office, and today justice was served.”