Mark Anthony Maddox, 37, of 1018 Johnny Martin Road, Glencoe, entered guilty pleas to two counts of Sodomy in the First Degree, involving a child less than 12 years of age earlier this month.  Maddox pled guilty just prior to the commencement of jury selection.  He was sentenced to thirty (30) years in the state penitentiary as to each count by Judge Billy Ogletree. 

“There was overwhelming evidence in this case to support a guilty verdict if the cases had moved forward to trial,” said District Attorney Jody Willoughby.  “Resolving the charges via the plea agreement spared both this victim, and the previous victims from the trauma of testifying at trial.  It ensured that Maddox will serve a significant amount of time in prison, and that when he does complete that sentence, he will be required to register as a sex offender, and be subject to those laws for the rest of his life.”  Willoughby also stated, “The plea agreement reached in this matter was a collective effort between our office and the victims and the victim’s family.”

Deputy District Attorneys Carol Griffith and Denise Welch, who were assigned to prosecute the cases, noted that under Alabama law, a person convicted of any sex offense involving a child less than 12 years of age is not eligible for probation, parole, correctional incentive time (good time), or any early release program.  As a result, Maddox will serve the entire 30 year sentence in prison.