On Wednesday, a grand jury returned a guilty verdict 39-year-old Joshua Harrison Rymer of Ball Ground for aggravated assault and criminal trespass, District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway said.
Cherokee Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call in February of 2024 to a intruder inside of a Ball Ground home. When deputies arrived, they found Rymer inside the house and arrested him.
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Rymer reportedly had an open switchblade in the right pocket of his pants. During a trial that occurred this week, more than 64 exhibits were shown, along with witness testimony given.
While witness testimony was given, one of the occupants of the home Rymer entered said she tried to close her outside door to prevent him from getting inside, however, he forced his way inside with a knife she believed to be a dagger.
After he forced entry into the home, the witness testified she attempted to get away from Rymer by going upstairs and locking herself in a bedroom with her children. She proceeded to call her husband, who then called 911.
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When they responded, they found Rymer barricaded in another room in the upstairs of the home.
Rymer, a repeat offender was sentenced to 20 years with the first three years to serve in prison. He is barred from having any contact with the victims or being in the vicinity of their home.
He must also get an an evaluation and treatment for mental health and substance abuse, avoiding alcohol and drug use, and not possessing firearms.
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