THOMASVILLE, Ga. — A 43-year-old Waycross man was sentenced in Thomas County Superior Court to eight years in prison in a number of cases involving child molestation and sexual exploitation of children.

Roy Kenneth Heaton, 43, 170 Bradford Road, Waycross, was charged with three counts of child molestation, aggravated child molestation, two counts of sexual exploitation of children, invasion of privacy and sexual battery against a child under 16.

He entered a guilty plea before Judge Richard Cowart to one count of child molestation, one count of sexual exploitation of children, one count of sexual battery against a child under 16, one count of indecent exposure and one count of sexual battery against a child under 16.

Cowart sentenced Heaton to 20 years in prison, the first eight years to be served in incarceration, the remainder on probation with special sex offender conditions, no contact with any victims, probation supervision fee and crime lab fee, alcohol/drug/psychological testing screen and counseling and a search clause.

“The prosecution of this case was made possible by the hard work and thorough investigation undertaken by investigator Bob Brettel of the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office, school officials who promptly notified proper authorities of the reports of abuse, and the extraordinary assistance provided by the Treehouse Children’s Advocacy Center. Thomas County is very fortunate to have such a team of professionals dedicated to fighting child abuse,” Jim Prine, Southern Judicial Circuit senior assistant district attorney, said.

Cases against Heaton began in March 2015, when school personnel reported to the sheriff’s office that a female student said Heaton had been touching her inappropriately for about a year.

“As we continued, we discovered more victims, all less than 16 years of age,” Lt. Tim Watkins, sheriff’s office chief investigator, said, adding that the victim said Heaton also took nude photographs of her.

Watkins said Heaton photographed some of the victims through windows at their residences as they changed clothing.

The defendant was arrested, released on bond and moved to Waycross.

Brettel said Heaton told him he had worked as a prison guard at one time.

The same offenses are pending against Heaton in Leon County, Florida. Watkins said evidence found in Thomas County will prove accusations in the Florida cases.

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