Crawford County, Georgia. On December 1, 2023, Michael Elsasser, 62, pled Guilty in Crawford County Superior Court to three counts of Child Molestation stemming from an investigation involving a pattern of abuse over several years, multiple victims, and multiple jurisdictions. This case had been set to go before a Crawford County jury on December 4, 2023.
The investigation of this case began in the Fall of 2019, when the victims made their initial disclosure. Forensic interviews were conducted, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigations was called to assist. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement was able to substantiate the claims of abuse by the victims, which led to charges against Elsasser in both Crawford and Peach Counties. On Friday, Elsasser pled Guilty to two counts of Child Molestation in Crawford County and one count of Child Molestation in Peach County. Elsasser was sentenced to 60 years, with the first 50 years to be spent in prison, with the plea structure resulting in Guilty pleas to his crimes for each of the three different victims.
“I grieve for the lost innocence of these three young girls, but am so very thankful for their bravery in disclosing the wrongs that were done to them and for the support they have received from their families. These victims were a vital part of bringing this heinous crime to light and ensuring this Defendant was brought to justice. I pray they and their families can now have a measure of closure and can begin a healing journey.” DA Howard
The Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office particularly thanks the GBI and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office for their diligent and thorough investigation, and the forensic interviewers at the Crescent House for their help in giving a voice to these child victims.
