Buchanan County man receives 35-year prison sentence for child sexual abuse
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BUCHANAN COUNTY, Va. (WJHL) — A Buchanan County man was sentenced to 35 years in prison for child sexual abuse, according to the Buchanan County commonwealth’s attorney’s office.

On Tuesday, a judge sentenced Joe David Smith to a total of 50 years in the Virginia Department of Corrections with 15 years suspended, resulting in a 35-year active prison sentence.

A jury convicted Smith of two counts of aggravated sexual battery and one count of taking indecent liberties with a minor, according to the commonwealth’s attorney’s office.

Crimes against children are among the most disturbing offenses we encounter, and they will never be met with leniency,” Commonwealth’s Attorney Nikki Stiltner said in a release.

Stiltner thanked the Virginia State Police, Buchanan County Victim Witness Program, and Care Center of Southwest Virginia for their involvement in the case.

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