Coach pleads guilty to sexual battery

Published 1:00 pm Tuesday, March 12, 2024

A cheerleading and gymnastics instructor pled guilty to three counts of sexual battery against a child under the age of 16 in Whitfield Superior Court on Friday, March 8.

Defendant James Everett Sisson was initially charged with 13 offenses involving three named victims. As part of a negotiated plea deal with the state, prosecutors agreed to drop 10 counts against the defendant, which included multiple counts of child molestation and improper sexual contact with a minor by a person of trust.

The defendant was represented by Richard K. Murray in the March 8 proceedings.

Conasauga Judicial Circuit Assistant District Attorney Mark Higgins said that Sisson faced a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison for the three sexual battery offenses.

“Mr. Sisson was employed as an employee at a local gym that provided instruction and lessons for cheerleaders and gymnasts,” Higgins said. “He intentionally contacted the intimate parts of the listed victims … each of these events occurred during instructions for tumbling and other cheer-related activities.”

Murray said the offenses occurred “out in public,” with parents present in the stands for the incidents.

“There was some inappropriate grinding that was going on and he’s acknowledging that,” Murray continued. “And he’s ready to take responsibility.”

Higgins told the court that the named victims in the case and their parents are in agreement with the plea deal terms.

Per a bill of indictment, the offenses are alleged to have occurred in 2021.

Conasauga Judicial Circuit Judge Cindy Morris announced that Sisson would be sentenced on April 9.

Higgins indicated that the State is seeking a 15-year sentence for Sisson — with the first two years to be served in prison and the remainder to be served on probation.

The State indicated that Higgins’ sentence would also include a $3,000 fine and a requirement that he perform 200 hours of community service.

The defendant would also be prohibited from having any contact with any of the named victims in the case and would be required to register as a sex offender.

“On April 3, he’s appearing in Catoosa County court on a related matter with, essentially, the same sentence as here,” Murray told the court. “As part of the sentence there, he would be ordered to report back here to serve his sentence on both cases starting on April 9.”

Judge Morris told the defendant that if he does not appear in court for sentencing next month, the plea deal from the State would be voided.

“And the court can sentence you to up to 15 years to serve in prison,” she said.