CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — A 40-year-old Canton man is set to be sentenced after a jury found him guilty of raping a child.

Officials say Michael Clay Downey was convicted by a Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. Police began investigating Downey in September of 2024 after a child under the age of 12 came forward to report sexual abuse at a Canton home by someone she knew.

There were multiple incidents during the course of months, officials said.

Downey will be sentenced at a later date.