COVINGTON, Ga. – A former sheriff’s deputy convicted of child molestation in Newton County Superior Court last week was sentenced to spend at least the next 25 years in prison this morning at the Judicial Center in downtown Covington.

Alcovy Judicial Circuit Judge Horace J. Johnson sentenced Daniel McGinnis to life, with the first 25 years to be served in prison for aggravated child molestation and incest. McGinnis also received 20 years, with 19 years to be served in confinement for four counts of child molestation. Two other child molestation counts were merged with those four. The 19 year sentence will run concurrently to the 25 years.

Newton County Assistant District Attorney Tabitha Rogers said, pending the outcome of the appeal process, McGinnis will not be eligible for parole until he serves the 25 years in prison. According to Rogers, if/when McGinnis is released from prison, he will be required to register as a Sex Offender.

David Lamalva, McGinnis’ attorney, said McGinnis maintains his innocence and plans to assert all of his appellate rights.