(Lawrenceville, Ga., 4/24/25) – A Gwinnett County jury returned a guilty verdict against a couple for abusing a 7-year-old girl at a Buford apartment.

Javen Tyree Richardson, 25, was convicted of four counts of aggravated child molestation and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences with the first 80 years to serve in prison.

Akilah Amin, the child’s 30-year-old mother, was convicted of one count of influencing a witness and one count of cruelty to children in the second degree. She was sentenced to 20 years with the first seven years to serve in prison.

Both defendants were ordered to register as sex offenders and to have no contact with the victim child and her siblings. 

“Justice for this young victim begins with the outcome of this trial,” Gwinnett District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. “Her family and her loved ones must continue to help her recover and heal.”

Richardson sexually abused the 7-year-old several times, and the victim disclosed the abuse at school. It was revealed in court that Amin then coached the child to change her story and lie to officials about what happened in attempt to get Richardson released from jail.

The child told her story from the witness stand in front of the Gwinnett County jury, who then returned the guilty verdicts.

Special Victims Unit Managing Assistant District Attorney Megan Matteucci and Assistant District Attorney Kathy Li prosecuted the case with assistance from SVU Investigator Jessica Pironis and Victim Witness Advocate Rocio Pineda.