Clarkesville man returned to jail on child molestation charges

James Edward May

An accused child molester who previously bonded out of jail is back behind bars after being re-arrested on new charges in Habersham County.

60-year-old James May was booked into the county jail on September 15 following a joint investigation by Habersham Sheriff’s investigators and Cornelia Police.

Investigators charged May with aggravated stalking, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sexual battery, and enticing a child for indecent purposes. The charges are in addition to those previously filed by Cornelia Police, according to Habersham County Sheriff’s Lt. Matthew Wurtz.

On September 4, Cornelia Police charged May with child molestation, enticing a child for indecent purposes, sexual battery, and cruelty to children in the first degree. He was released from the Habersham County jail the following day on a $52,100 bond. Online records show, this time, the judge denied May bond and he remains in jail.

“Both arrests are related to the same case with the same victim,” says Cornelia Police Chief Chad Smith.

May and his late wife co-owned and operated Tasty Ice Cream Truck. Authorities say the charges pending against May are not related to that business.