A Blount County judge sentenced 57-year-old Johnny Chandler on Tuesday after a jury found him guilty earlier this year in the abduction and sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl who was hidden inside a concealed space in the basement of his home.
Convictions and prison terms
On April 9, 2026, a jury returned guilty verdicts on multiple counts including first-degree rape, first-degree kidnapping, two counts of sexual abuse of a child under 12, first-degree unlawful imprisonment and obstructing governmental operations. At the sentencing hearing, the court imposed the following terms:
| Charge | Sentence |
|---|---|
| First-degree rape | Life in prison |
| First-degree kidnapping | Life in prison |
| Sexual abuse of a child (two counts) | 20 years each |
| Unlawful imprisonment | 1 year |
| Obstructing governmental operations | 364 days |
How the victim was found
The child had been reported missing in the early morning hours of March 10, 2024. The FBI North Alabama Violent Crime Task Force located her alive about 36 hours later at a residence in Warrior. Chandler, who lived in the Smoke Rise area, was taken into custody following the recovery.
During a search of Chandler’s home, investigators discovered a concealed opening in a basement stairwell hidden behind a portable heater. Inside that compartment, officers found bedding materials and a stuffed animal. Prosecutors said the space had been used to hide the child.
Evidence at trial and reaction
At trial, the prosecution presented evidence that included Chandler’s recorded statements to law enforcement after his arrest. According to the record, he admitted to picking the child up near her home and later assaulting her at his residence in Smoke Rise. The victim testified during the proceedings but chose not to deliver an impact statement at the sentencing hearing.
“Today’s sentence serves the core purposes of our criminal justice system,”
“It holds the defendant accountable, protects the public by ensuring he will never again have access to another child, and I hope it provides the victim with reassurance that the person who caused her so much harm will never be able to victimize her again.” — District Attorney Pamela Casey
Casey said the punishment reflects accountability and public safety goals. Court records do not indicate eligibility for parole on the life terms imposed for the rape and kidnapping counts; state sentencing statutes and the judge’s specific orders will determine how the additional fixed terms are served.
Local impact and next steps
The case drew attention in Blount County because of the nature of the concealment and the age of the victim. Residents and local officials have said such prosecutions underscore the importance of interagency cooperation — including the FBI task force — in quickly locating missing children.
- Victim located alive in Warrior about 36 hours after going missing.
- Concealed compartment found in basement stairwell at defendant’s Smoke Rise home.
- Defendant convicted April 9, 2026, and sentenced to life plus additional terms.
The case remains a reminder for parents to report missing children immediately and for community members to report suspicious activity to local law enforcement. Court docket entries show the convictions and penalties were handed down this week; any appeals or further filings would be recorded in Blount County Circuit Court.
— Caleb Whitfield, Alabama Correspondent
