THOMASVILLE — A Cairo man who entered a guilty plea to child molestation was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Thomas County Superior Court Judge Harry Jay Altman sentenced William Benjamin Mobley, 39, 705 Seventh Ave. N.E., Cairo, to serve five years of the sentence in prison and the remainder on probation. The defendant will receive credit for time served.

Mobley has been in the Thomas County Jail since Nov. 24, 2015.

“He molested a child under the age of 16 on more than one occasion,” Capt. Steven Jones, Thomas County Sheriff’s Office public information officer, said.

The incidents took place multiple times at a Thomas County residence, Jones said.

“He decided instead of a trial to enter a guilty plea,” the officer added.

Mobley will be classified as a sex offender as a result of the plea.

He also was sentenced to pay a $1,500 fine and reimburse Thomas County government $500 in attorney fees. He is to undergo alcohol/drug treatment and have no contact with the victim.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820