A Chilton County Judge sentenced a Jemison man last week to life in prison for sex abuse of a child less than 12.

Jessie William Bispham, 34, who lists an address off County Road 163 in Jemison, was sentenced Dec. 18 to life in prison by Chilton County Circuit Judge Ben A. Fuller, according to court records.

Bispham was arrested in 2013 and indicted by a February 2013 grand jury in Chilton County on two counts of sexual abuse of a child under 12, according to court records.

Fuller also ordered that Bispham be fined $25,000, must pay the costs associated with the case, and will be given credit for time served.

A Chilton County jury heard testimony and evidence presented on Nov. 17 regarding the case, according to court records.

After the jury deliberated, Bispham was found guilty of sex abuse of a child less than 12, which is a Class B felony.

According to a press release from the office of the District Attorney for the 19th Judicial Circuit, Bispham’s victim in the case was 4 years old at the time the abuse occurred.

“I am so pleased that we succeeded in winning the battle against a sick individual who thinks it is normal to exploit and harm children,” District Attorney Randall Houston said in a release. “These cases are never easy, and as a result of this conviction and life sentence, this individual will be incarcerated for the remainder of his life with no access to any other child victims.”