On Wednesday, a Franklin County man was sentenced to 20 years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections for the sexual battery of a 13-year-old child.

Judge Debra Blackwell passed the sentence to Sherman Jackson, 33, after he pleaded guilty to the charge in Sixth District Circuit Court, according to a news release from District Attorney Shameca Collins.

Jackson must also register as a sex offender upon his release, Collins states.

“Hopefully, this young child will begin to heal from the trauma suffered at the hands of Mr. Jackson and live a positive, productive life,” she said.