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Covington man sentenced to life on charges of child molestation, rape
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COVINGTON, Ga. - A 43-year-old Covington man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after a jury found him guilty on multiple charges, including child molestation. 

According to a post shared by the Newton County District Attorney's Office, Thomas Anthony Sky was found guilty of aggravated child molestation, statutory rape and three counts of child molestation. 

According to the post, Sky committed these crimes over a period of years against the victim until the abuse was reported when the victim was 12 years old.

"Based on the nature of the charges and the defendant's extensive criminal history, including convictions for aggravated stalking, breaking and entering, escape, home invasion, assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm by a felon, the defendant was sentenced to life in prison as a recidivist, which is the equivalent to a sentence of life without parole," according to the post.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Assistant District Attorney Randy McGinley, Investigator Beau Alexander, Victim Advocate Shay Payne and Legal Assistant Anita Carroll. The arrest and investigation was handled by the Newton County Sheriff's Office.

Newton County jury finds Covington man guilty of felony murder
Shane Robinson
Shane Robinson - photo by Courtesy of the Newton County Sheriff's Office

NEWTON COUNTY – On Monday afternoon, 30-year-old Shane Alexander Robinson of Covington was found guilty of killing Charles Edward Stanley III over three years ago.

The Newton County District Attorney’s Office released that a jury deemed that Robinson was guilty on three charges: Felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

On March 5, 2022, sometime between 11 p.m. and midnight, Robinson shot an AR-style firearm at a vehicle that Stanley was driving along Harvey Wood Drive. According to the District Attorney’s release, Robinson fired the weapon 13 times into the vehicle, killing Stanley.

According to a previous report by The Covington News, an arrest warrant stated that Robinson “grabbed his AR-15 (rifle) and drove” from his home to Harvey Wood Drive to “scare” Stanley.

“When Charles was backing up, Shane admitted to firing several rounds at the vehicle,” the 2022 warrant stated. “Furthermore, Shane also initially stated that he fired rounds at the vehicle as it was driving away.”

Robinson initially faced charges of murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, unauthorized discharge of firearms within 50 yards of the public highway, and reckless conduct. It is not clear if some of these charges were dismissed.

Sentencing is set for a later date, which has not been announced. A co-defendant’s case is still pending.