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Blimpie owner acquitted of child molestation charges
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 A sandwich shop owner charged with child molestation was acquitted of his charges in Newton County Superior Court on Thursday.

 A jury of six men and seven women deliberated for about an hour before returning Thursday morning with unanimous verdict of not guilty for Charles Tripathi on both counts of felony child molestation and false imprisonment, according to Assistant District Attorney Melanie McCrorey.

 Tripathi, 52, owner of Charlie's Blimpie sandwich store, was accused of fondling the breast of a 15-year-old customer on October 12, 2006 at his Salem Road shop.

 The family of the home-schooled juvenile exited the courthouse Thursday looking spent.

 The victim's mother had been overcome while on the witness stand the previous day, requiring a break.