A 55-year-old Owensboro man has been sentenced to 5 years in prison for charges related to the sexual abuse of a child.
Court records show that David W. Meeks was sentenced to a total of 5 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges earlier this month.
Documents show Meeks was initially charged in August 2022 with four counts of first-degree sodomy, one count of first-degree rape, and six counts of first-degree sexual abuse, all involving a victim under the age of 12.
As part of the plea agreement, the sodomy and rape charges were all amended down to first-degree sexual assault. Meeks pleaded guilty to three of the original sexual assault charges, and the other three were dismissed, records show.
Each of the eight charges he pleaded guilty to carries a sentence of 5 years, to be served concurrently, according to court documents. Meeks must also register as a lifetime sex offender as part of the agreement.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Mike Van Meter said the amended charges and plea were agreed upon, with the primary factor being keeping the best interest of the victim in mind on whether or not to testify at trial.
