An 82-year-old Bicknell man has been sentenced in Knox Circuit Court after pleading guilty to sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl.

The case against Michael Jones was filed in 2021, but court records say the abuse began years earlier. The charge was a Level 4 felony, which carries a maximum sentence of 12 years.

Knox County Prosecutor Dirk Carnahan asked the court to impose the maximum sentence. He told the court the abuse caused lasting harm to the victim and her family and said the Jones had violated bond conditions by stalking the victim.

Knox Circuit Court Judge Monica Gilmore agreed and handed down a 12 year prison sentence.

Carnahan  thanked law enforcement and his staff and praised the victim’s courage during the case.