A Long County jury took less than one hour to find Michael Clements guilty this past week of kidnapping and two counts of aggravated sodomy.
The conviction concludes an investigation that began in 2004.
According to Long County Sheriff’s Department Chief Det. Ty Smith, the crimes took place Sept. 27, 2004, in the Rye Patch area of Long County.
Clements kidnapped an 18-year-old woman from her home at knife point, took her to an open field, and forced her to perform oral sex on him before sodomizing her.
Smith, the detective who investigated the crime, said one of the key tips in helping lead to Clements’ arrest was provided by a witness who had seen an unknown vehicle parked near the victim’s home on several occasions.
The witness didn’t recognize the vehicle and reported its tag number to the sheriff’s department. The vehicle was traced back to Clements, who was stationed at Fort Stewart at the time.
Smith then questioned Clements and obtained a DNA sample from him. The sample matched DNA evidence obtained from the victim the night of the crime.
On April 18, 2005, a warrant was issued for Clements’ arrest but he had been deployed to Iraq.
Clements was returned to Fort Stewart on Oct. 7 2005, when he was arrested and taken into custody of the Long County Sheriff’s Department. A few days later, he posted a $20,000 bond and was released.
Clements’ trial began April 18 and concluded the next day with a guilty verdict.
He was given a life-sentence for the kidnapping charge and 20 years for aggravated sodomy.
“It is good to see this case finally be wrapped up. It took a lot of work and a lot of manhours to make this arrest,” Smith said.
“The young girl who had this awful crime committed to her is one of the bravest people I’ve ever met. Nothing can make up for what happened to her, but at least justice has been served,” he said.
The conviction concludes an investigation that began in 2004.
According to Long County Sheriff’s Department Chief Det. Ty Smith, the crimes took place Sept. 27, 2004, in the Rye Patch area of Long County.
Clements kidnapped an 18-year-old woman from her home at knife point, took her to an open field, and forced her to perform oral sex on him before sodomizing her.
Smith, the detective who investigated the crime, said one of the key tips in helping lead to Clements’ arrest was provided by a witness who had seen an unknown vehicle parked near the victim’s home on several occasions.
The witness didn’t recognize the vehicle and reported its tag number to the sheriff’s department. The vehicle was traced back to Clements, who was stationed at Fort Stewart at the time.
Smith then questioned Clements and obtained a DNA sample from him. The sample matched DNA evidence obtained from the victim the night of the crime.
On April 18, 2005, a warrant was issued for Clements’ arrest but he had been deployed to Iraq.
Clements was returned to Fort Stewart on Oct. 7 2005, when he was arrested and taken into custody of the Long County Sheriff’s Department. A few days later, he posted a $20,000 bond and was released.
Clements’ trial began April 18 and concluded the next day with a guilty verdict.
He was given a life-sentence for the kidnapping charge and 20 years for aggravated sodomy.
“It is good to see this case finally be wrapped up. It took a lot of work and a lot of manhours to make this arrest,” Smith said.
“The young girl who had this awful crime committed to her is one of the bravest people I’ve ever met. Nothing can make up for what happened to her, but at least justice has been served,” he said.