Decatur County resident Kenneth Wayne Meredith was sentenced to 15 years in the state penal system followed by a consecutive 35 years of probation Thursday after being found guilty on 11 counts of sexual abuse involving children.

Meredith was charged with one count of Felony Child Molestation, Criminal Attempt to Commit a Felony and nine counts of Sexual Exploitation of Children. Additionally, he will be required to register as a sex offender when he is released from prison.

“We’re very satisfied because this gives him a lengthy sentence, which he absolutely deserved,” South Georgia Judicial Circuit District Attorney Joe Mulholland said. “Whenever the parole lets him out, the fact that he has to register as a sex offender means we’ll be able to monitor him for the rest of his natural life.”

With the assistance of Georgia Bureau of Investigations agent Mike Walsingham and the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office, evidence showed that Meredith sexually molested a child under the age of 16 years between July 6, 2013, and August 4, 2013. Meredith was also found to have indecent photos the child on his cellphone.

Meredith’s trial began Monday and lasted through Thursday morning.

“Kudos have to go out to the brave children who testified in this case,” Mulholland said. “It’s never easy for a child to testify in court, especially with a monster who committed atrocious acts to them. They did an awesome job. God bless them.”

Honorable Judge Richard Porter delivered the sentence.