On April 9, 2026, a Blount County jury convicted 57-year-old Johnny Chandler on all counts related to the 2024 kidnapping and rape of a 10-year-old girl. The four-day trial concluded with guilty verdicts for first-degree rape, first-degree kidnapping, two counts of child sexual abuse, unlawful imprisonment, and obstructing governmental operations. District Attorney Pam Casey credited the victim’s bravery during her testimony as a pivotal factor in the jury’s decision.
The case gained national attention due to the circumstances of the victim’s recovery. After grooming her for several years, Chandler abducted the girl from her Blountsville home in March 2024. When investigators first searched his residence, the victim remained silent while hidden in a secret compartment built into a basement wall behind a portable heater. She was safely recovered during a subsequent search, and prosecutors later presented DNA evidence and a confession from Chandler to secure the conviction.
Chandler is scheduled for sentencing on May 26, 2026. While Alabama law now permits the death penalty for certain cases of child rape, the statute was not in effect at the time of the 2024 offense, making him ineligible for that sentence. However, District Attorney Casey has stated she will seek consecutive sentences for each count to ensure Chandler remains in prison for the rest of his life.
Beyond this case, Chandler still faces a series of pending charges involving other children. These include first-degree human trafficking and the distribution of pornographic material, ensuring his legal battles will continue even after his May sentencing.