Former National Guardsman sentenced for child enticement

ROME, Ga. - William Eric Cooper has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison for attempting to entice a minor to produce sexually explicit images. 

“Cooper is a predator who deserves this significant sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Through quick and excellent work, our law enforcement partners rescued an exploited child, exposed Cooper’s deviant conduct, and brought a sex offender to justice.”

“William Cooper is a dangerous predator who attempted to exploit a vulnerable child,” said Peter Ellis, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Georgia. “Thanks to swift law enforcement action, we ensured that he will face the full consequences of his horrific actions.”

According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges and other information presented in court: In February 2025, FBI agents in North Carolina rescued a 15-year-old girl who had been abducted and raped. The FBI’s investigation revealed that, prior to her kidnapping, the minor child and Cooper exchanged more than 1,000 text messages in which Cooper discussed plans to meet the girl for sex and encouraged her to create sexually explicit videos of herself to send to him. After arresting Cooper and searching his home in March 2025, agents found more than 250 images and videos depicting child sex abuse on his cell phone. 

At the time of his offense, Cooper was employed by the Georgia National Guard. Following his arrest, he was separated from the military with an Other than Honorable discharge. 

William Eric Cooper, 46, of Adairsville, Ga., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge William M. Ray II to ten years in federal prison, ten years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Cooper was convicted of attempted enticement of a child on August 25, 2025, after he pleaded guilty.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office.

U.S. Attorney Hertzberg and Assistant U.S. Attorney Calvin A. Leipold, III prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Attorney General launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices around the country, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.