By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — A Salisbury man has been convicted of felony indecent liberties with a child and sentenced to more than six years in prison.

Joseph Franklin Williams, 45, was convicted Wednesday in Rowan County Criminal Court and admitted his status as a habitual felon. Superior Court Judge Anna Mills Wagoner sentenced him to 72 months to 99 months in prison. He will also be subject to satellite-based monitoring for the rest of his life.

On Dec. 25, officers were sent to the 1300 block of Barger Road. They spoke with the child’s mother, who said Williams called her and wanted to bring her daughter a Christmas present. The mother said Williams brought several bags of candy and went to her daughter’s room to give them to the girl.

The mother said that after Williams left, her daughter, who was 12 years old, showed her a note that Williams had left with her. The child said Williams told her to destroy the note, which contained sexually explicit and graphic language.

Williams was previously convicted of felony indecent liberties with a minor, felony failure of a registered sex offender to notify authorities about an address change, and felony manufacturing marijuana, among other convictions.

Rowan County District Attorney Brandy Cook said she appreciated the joint effort of Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Suneson and the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office in holding Williams accountable for his criminal conduct.

Cook said her office will continue to aggressively prosecute repeat offenders, especially sexual predators.