William Eric Cooper, a former member of the Georgia National Guard, has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison for attempting to entice a minor to produce sexually explicit images. The sentencing took place in Rome, Georgia.
“Cooper is a predator who deserves this significant sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Through quick and excellent work, our law enforcement partners rescued an exploited child, exposed Cooper’s deviant conduct, and brought a sex offender to justice.”
“William Cooper is a dangerous predator who attempted to exploit a vulnerable child,” said Peter Ellis, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Georgia. “Thanks to swift law enforcement action, we ensured that he will face the full consequences of his horrific actions.”
According to information presented by U.S. Attorney Hertzberg in court, FBI agents in North Carolina rescued a 15-year-old girl in February 2025 after she had been abducted and raped. The investigation revealed that before her abduction, the minor and Cooper exchanged over 1,000 text messages discussing plans for sexual encounters and encouraging the creation of sexually explicit videos for him. After arresting Cooper and searching his home in March 2025, authorities found more than 250 images and videos depicting child sexual abuse on his cell phone.
At the time of these offenses, Cooper was employed by the Georgia National Guard but was separated from military service with an Other than Honorable discharge following his arrest.
Cooper, aged 46 from Adairsville, Georgia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge William M. Ray II to ten years in federal prison followed by ten years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment fee. He pleaded guilty on August 25, 2025.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office. Prosecutors included U.S. Attorney Hertzberg and Assistant U.S. Attorney Calvin A. Leipold III.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood—a national initiative launched in February 2006 aimed at protecting children from online exploitation and abuse through coordinated efforts among federal prosecutors like those at the United States Attorney’s Offices across the country.
Theodore S. Hertzberg serves as United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia (official website), which acts as the main federal law enforcement agency handling criminal prosecutions and civil cases within its jurisdiction—covering north Georgia including Atlanta suburbs—and coordinates with other agencies on issues such as terrorism and human trafficking (official website). The office represents millions of residents across north Georgia mountains up to borders with Alabama and Carolinas (official website).
For more information about Project Safe Childhood visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov or contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.
