William Bryant Jr.

A man convicted of sexually abusing his granddaughter over the course of several years was sentenced Wednesday to 25 years in prison.

William Wesley Bryant Jr., 65, was found guilty Aug. 23 of one count of first-degree sodomy and three counts of sexual abuse of a child under age 12. Circuit Judge Robert Baker sentenced Bryant to 25 years on the sodomy charge and 10 years for each of the three sexual abuse counts, which will be served concurrently.

He was also sentenced as a violent sex predator, meaning if he’s ever released from prison, he will wear an ankle monitor for 10 years. He will also receive a minimum of 10 years’ supervised probation.

“Due to age and the law, there is a good chance you will never come out of prison,” Baker said.

Bryant did not address the court before sentencing. However, when instructed to do so by his attorney, more than 20 people stood in support of Bryant.

“We’re very pleased with the sentence,” Limestone County District Attorney Brian Jones said. “It sends a clear message we’re not going to tolerate this type of behavior.”

The case

The victim, whose name is withheld by The News Courier for privacy, testified during trial that she was sexually abused by Bryant at ages 5 and 10, and sodomized at age 11 in Limestone County.

When the girl was 11, she told Limestone County technology facilitator Tammy Embry about the abuse. The Limestone County Sheriff’s Office and Limestone County Department of Human Resources were notified, and after an investigation, Bryant was charged.

Family members testified on Bryant’s behalf during trial and accused the victim of lying on social media.

It took a jury of 10 women and two men less than 45 minutes to convict Bryant.

—Jean Cole contributed to this report.