PAULDING COUNTY, Ga. — A man police say has sexually assaulted at least eight women over a more than 30 years span in two counties now faces more charges in a third county.
Paulding County deputies say Bobby Lee Hart Jr. has attacked a woman in a third neighboring county.
Prosecutors were all set to announce details on this latest case but had to suddenly reschedule because a police chief wasn’t available.
People who live in Paulding County say it’s scary knowing someone accused of being a serial rapist was roaming through their community.
“Oh I can’t believe this, MaryEllen Samurda told Channel 2’s Tom Jones.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Atlanta police officer shot responding to mental health call
- AMBER ALERT: 2 sisters missing, Atlanta police believe babysitter abducted them
- Marijuana by mail: Georgia cannabis regulators planning to approve delivery
Others who live in Paulding County were stunned that investigators now say a suspected serial rapist in Douglas and Cobb counties has attacked a woman here as well.
“He needs to be put in jail. For sure. And not get out,” Samurda said.
Bobby Lee Hart Jr. is in jail in Cobb County.
This all began when the Douglas County District Attorney Dalia Racine announced Hart been arrested in 2025, accused of attacking women for more than 30 years.
“Hart is a suspect in multiple sexual assaults dating back to the early 1990s in the west Georgia region,” she said back then.
A Douglas County grand jury later indicted Hart in seven assaults.
Then a grand jury in Cobb County indicted him for another attack.
Now, Paulding County is set to announce details of another assault.
“That’s not surprising. The man is a complete and utter pervert,” Amber Jones said.
Jones lives in Douglas County and says she is very familiar with Hart. She says Hart would come into her job and hit on women and call them names when they refused his advances.
She says he would also show up at parks where he coached children and would try to pick up women during games.
Jones asked her what took so long for alleged victims to come forward.
“I think people were scared. I really genuinely think people were scared,” she said.
People in Paulding are happy victims are going to get their day in court.
“I’m glad the victims are finally coming forward,” Samurda said.
Jones reached out to Hart’s attorney for a comment. He is still waiting to hear back.
The news conference that was canceled is now scheduled for Wednesday.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]