Cryer sentenced to life in prison for sexual assault

Athens Daily Review - 11/16/2017

Nov. 16--James Ray Cryer Jr. has been sentenced in 173rd District Court to life in prison following his conviction for aggravated sexual assault.

Cryer pleaded guilty to that offense. He was also convicted of unlawful restraint and was sentenced to 10 years.

According to a press release, Henderson County sheriff's deputies Keon Mack, Jailers Clayton Teel and Brittney Owens and the victim testified at the Nov. 8 sentencing hearing.

On Aug. 10, 2016, Cryer, 42, "was 'working security' at the Exxon game room in Dogwood City located in Smith County," the press release shows. " Also ... at the game room was a 60-year-old Frankston woman who was approached by Cryer asking for a ride home. After directing her into the Briarwood Bay subdivision, he had her turn down a darkened street, where he grabbed her by the hair and held a knife to her throat, forcing her to perform a sex act on him. He then ordered her to drive to a different location where he intended to abuse her further."

That's when Mack passed the car headed in the opposite direction and noticed the driver's slow speed and failure to dim the car's lights.

"After turning around, he also observed a defective tail light before stopping the car and approaching the driver's side window. Mack noticed the woman was extremely nervous and when asked if everything was ok, she whispered the words, 'Help me.' Recognizing the woman was possibly in danger, Mack had her step out and move to the rear of the vehicle so she could tell him what was taking place. Shortly after that, he got Cryer out of the car, removed the knife and placed him under arrest."

The woman reportedly told Mack several times that he saved her life. She repeated that in court.

"Teel and Owens testified about threats Cryer had made while in the Henderson County jail. In particular, he had made the statement that if he got a life sentence, he would kill one of the ... guards."

Assistant District Attorney Jessica Bargmann, who prosecuted the case, introduced Cryer's prior convictions for aggravated criminal mischief, sexual assault, unlawful possession of a deadly weapon in a penal institution and possession of a prohibited item in a correctional facility.

He was sentenced to 15 years for his first sexual assault, in 1993.

"While in prison, he received two additional felonies resulting in his incarceration for a total of 23 years. Cryer had been out for only 10 weeks before committing this assault."

Bargmann said the sentence brought peace to the victim and justice for the community, according to the press release.

"James Cryer has a long violent history, and a life sentence is the only way to ensure the continued safety of the public."

District Attorney Mark Hall said that Bargmann "did an excellent job presenting this case" and that he is "gratified that the court assessed a sentence that will keep Cryer in prison, and away from other potential victims, for at least 30 years."

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