Man Arrested for Travelling to Meet Child for Sexual Acts

John Thomas Taylor, III, of Arab, was found guilty of traveling to meet a child for the purpose of sexually assaulting them, according to District Attorney of Marhsall County, Alabama, Jennifer Bray. Traveling to Meet a Child for a Sexual Act is a Class A Felony with a range of punishment of 10 years up to 99 years or life in prison. On July 15th, 2024, Mr. Taylor entered a guilty plea to the crime, but the State and the Defendant could not agree on a sentence. Judge Tim Riley sentenced the defendant to 25 years in the Alabama Department of Corrections following a sentencing hearing on Tuesday, January 7th afternoon. Arrangements had been made over the course of several days on the phone to meet with the 14-year-old child. Fortunately, law enforcement was present to apprehend the defendant, stopping him from carrying out his planned sexual acts to a child. Judge Riley was asked by DA Bray to give the defendant a 45-year jail term. The lawyer for the defendant requested that the judge impose the bare minimum penalty permitted by law. Judge Riley sentenced the defendant to 25 years in jail, citing the defendant’s lack of criminal background.