Joey Thomas Ford, 27, of Rome, Georgia, was sentenced to prison in Chattooga County Superior Court after pleading guilty recently in Chattooga County Superior Court to multiple charges related to the sexual abuse of a minor. The charges included child molestation, sexual battery against a child under 16 years old, and first-degree cruelty to children. Ford received a sentence of six years and six months in prison, followed by 13 years and six months of probation. He was also ordered to pay a fine of $1,716. According to arrest records, Ford pleaded guilty to molesting a juvenile female in August of last year. Court documents reveal that on August 25th, Ford had inappropriately touched and fondled the female victim. The incident occurred at a residence on Oak Street in Summerville.