A Columbia man arrested in 2023 for grabbing a teen’s genitalia in a Franklin movie theater was sentenced to time served in jail and placed on the sex offender registry following a plea deal.
Gabriel Jeremiah Ward, who was 27 at the time of his arrest, grabbed a then 14-year-old boy’s penis in the bathroom of a Franklin movie theater in May 2023, according to Assistant District Attorney General Jennifer Mason.
Ward was later arrested and charged with sexual battery. According to a Franklin Police news release, Ward is a convicted felon who was on probation at the time of his 2023 arrest.
On March 6, Ward entered into a “best interest” plea deal, in which he did not admit guilt to the charge, but acknowledged that had the case gone to trial, the state would likely be able to secure a conviction.
“We've been in close contact with the family and the child, and they are very, very much relieved and happy for this resolution,” Mason told the Williamson Scene, calling the work by Franklin Police Department Detective Andrea Clark “phenomenal.”
Mason called it a “true stranger danger case,” adding that had the case gone to trial, Ward could have potentially been sentenced to only probation, with a maximum potential sentence of two years in jail.
“What's most important to me is that the family is thrilled with the outcome,” Mason said. “They are thrilled that their son is not going to be re-victimized or traumatized by court proceedings and the defendants on the sex offender registry. So I consider this a great, great win.”
According to court records in Wilson County, Ward was also charged in February 2025 with aggravated statutory rape, a charge which was later reduced to contributing to dependency/neglect by way of a plea deal.
The Wiliamson Scene has learned he was sentenced to one year in jail, most of which he has served during the duration of that case.
A comment wasn't immediately available from Ward's public defender.
Commented
Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles.