Former GOP leader Joseph Dendy admits committing child sex abuse, gets life in prison

MARIETTA, GA -- The former Cobb County GOP leader has received a life sentence after pleading guilty to molesting two young relatives between 2004 and 2011, Cobb County District Attorney Vic Reynolds announced Friday afternoon.

Joseph Russell Dendy, 72, pleaded guilty to 13 counts of aggravated sexual battery, aggravated child molestation, child molestation, enticing a child and cruelty to children. He must serve 30 years in prison for the crimes which prosecutors said happened at Dendy's home, church and in a store dressing room

Dendy, who served two terms as head of Cobb's GOP Party from 2011 to 2015, was arrested last year at his West Cobb home. At the time, his attorney denied the charges, telling a local newspaper, "Mr. Dendy will plead not guilty to all charges and will commence his own independent investigation into the motivation and credibility of individuals now claiming acts which allegedly occurred over nine years ago and which were never reported to anyone.

After the plea, one of the victims addressed the court, saying that he still has nightmares because of the abuse. He said that his decision to become a military police officer was influenced by his wanting to help others escape abuse. He told Dendy: ”I’m stronger than you.

Prosecutors Susan Treadaway and David Williamson were planning on calling other witnesses who said they had been sexually abused by Dendy over a period that span more than a half century.

”This resolution achieves justice and avoids a trial, which would have likely been another painful experience for these victims, who have already endured so much, Treadaway said in a news release. ”Hiding behind his public persona as a prominent community leader, this defendant was able to wear a path of destruction through his family for decades. That ends today.

Under terms of his sentence, If Dendy gets out of prison, he must register as a sex-offender.