A Madison man first accused of sexually abusing a Limestone County child under age 12 will have to serve two years on probation and register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, an official said today.

Joseph Lindsey Shore Jr., 35, of 8560 U.S. 72 West, pleaded guilty just as jury selection was about to begin this morning in Limestone County Circuit Court. He pleaded guilty to a charge of second-degree sexual abuse.  In exchange, he was sentenced to 365 days in prison, all of which were suspended, and two years on probation, said Limestone County District Attorney Brian Jones. Shore will also have to register as a convicted sex offender and pay court costs.

The victim was “very pleased” with the agreement, Jones said.

“We are pleased with the resolution in this case,” he said. “The healing process has already begun, and I know that this brave young lady has a very bright future ahead of her.”

Circuit Judge Chadwick Wise will sentence Shore in accordance with the plea agreement.

The case

Shore was first arrested March 7, 2014. The alleged victim told a school official she had been sexually abused by a relative from ages 10 to 15, Limestone County Sheriff’s Chief Investigator Capt. Stanley McNatt said at the time.

Shore pleaded guilty to the last incidence of abuse, when the girl was older than 12 but under 18, Jones said. 

The school official reported the incident to the Sheriff’s Office, prompting an investigation by the Department of Human Resources and Sheriff’s Investigator Leslie Ramsey. During questioning, Shore admitted he had fondled the girl on multiple occasions, McNatt said.