A Jones County man found guilty of two counts of aggravated child molestation and one count of child molestation by a jury of his peers Oct. 31 was sentenced this week in Jones County Superior Court.
Kirby Vincent Moore was sentenced Nov. 6 by Superior Court Judge Terry Massey to 35 years in prison for each count of aggravated child molestation and 20 years to serve for the sole count of child molestation.
Massey also stated the sentence includes life on probation. The judge did allow the sentences to run concurrently, for a combined sentence of 35 years to serve with the remainder of his life to be spent on probation.
The minimum sentence for the charge of aggravated child molestation is 25 years with probation for life. The maximum sentence is life in prison.
Moore was represented by public defender Tom O’Donnell, who spoke to the court before sentence was pronounced. O’Donnell stated his client is 55 years of age, and with the minimum required sentence, any sentence will amount to life for his client.
The state was represented by Assistant District Attorney Cara Fiore. She read two statements from family members of the victims who testified in last week’s trial. The first statement expressed the hope that Moore would receive the maximum sentence and the other stated that Moore had molested “an entire generation of children.”
Fiore said one of the victims was five when the molestation started.
“These cases stay with all involved. That includes the investigators, prosecutors, court employees and especially the victims and their families,” she said. “This case is devastating for an entire family.”
The prosecutor said one of the victims from 30 years ago continues to struggle to this day.
“We heard from the victims at the trial. This last question one of them asked me was if I thought she was a bad person because of what he did to her.”
Fiore told the court because what Moore has done will impact these victims for their lifetime, his sentence should last his lifetime.
“I ask for two life sentences plus 20 years,” the prosecutor stated.
“These things just can’t happen.”
Massey said he did not believe serving 25 years was enough and sentenced Moore to 35 years for each aggravated child molestation count and 20 years for the charge of child molestation.
Moore did not comment on the sentence but turned around in his seat to make eye contact with his family before being taken from the courtroom.
