MARSHALL CO., Ala. (WAFF) – A 51-year-old Guntersville man received the maximum sentence for a child sex abuse charge on Monday.

According to the Marshall County District Attorney’s Office, James Alan Hayes entered the Geraldine Police Department on September 3, 2024, to confess to a crime.

On that day, Hayes confessed to investigators that he molested a 9-year-old while he was living in Guntersville.

Nearly a year later, Hayes entered a “blind” plea to two counts of Sexual Abuse of a Child Less than 12.

On Monday morning, Circuit Judge Matt Elliott sentenced Hayes to 40 years in prison. He will not have the opportunity for parole or good time.

“Hayes will remain in the Alabama Department of Corrections until his death or until he is almost 92 years old, whichever comes first.”

The victim in this case has been through the unimaginable and is still struggling today. I ask that our community pray for her healing. I am thankful Mr. Hayes came forward and confessed to his crimes; however, as Judge Elliot pointed out at sentencing, that does not mean he is not deserving of the maximum punishment under law.