A Social Circle man will serve five years of a 20-year sentence in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of child molestation, the Walton County assistant district attorney confirmed Thursday.

Donald Wayne Ewing, 67, will remain on probation for the remaining 15 years of his sentence and has been registered as a sex offender. He still faces charges for an additional count of child molestation in White County.

Samuel Barth said the DA’s office was satisfied that Ewing “took responsibility” for his actions by entering a guilty plea instead of forcing his victim, who is still underage, to take the stand and testify, potentially causing additional trauma.

“Anytime we can minimize damage in that regard, we do,” he said.

He added that the sentence, which was negotiated between the state and the defense, was consistent with similar cases in which the perpetrator had no prior criminal convictions.

Ewing will also pay a $1,000 fine for court fees. Barth said he will be sent to Jackson State Prison for evaluation, at which point the state will decide where to place him.

Ewing was arrested in Florida in April of this year by local authorities there.