Photo by Michele Newbanks Zachary Hinton and his attorney, Ray Smith, await Hinton's sentencing Friday morning at the Washington County Courthouse.

A local man was sentenced to 90 days in jail Friday morning at the Washington County Courthouse after pleading guilty to unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

Zachary R. Hinton, 20, of 871 Warren Chapel Road, Fleming, was indicted in November on one count of the fourth-degree felony unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. He was arrested on Oct. 11 for forcing a 14-year-old girl to perform a sexual act on him at the Barlow Fairgrounds, although she reportedly told him ‘no’ multiple times.

According to police reports, when he was questioned by detectives, he admitted to the act, but said it was consensual and that the girl said she was 16. The victim’s sister reportedly went to school with Hinton and told him via Facebook messages to stay away from her underage sister.

“The agreement was made while talking to the victim and the father. He is present in the courtroom today. Everyone is satisfied with the agreement and this conviction and what will happen with sentencing,” said Washington County Assistant Prosecutor Joe Derkin. No statement was made by the victim or her family.

Neither Hinton nor his attorney, Ray Smith, had anything to say on his behalf.

After he was sentenced to the jail term, he was given the consequences of violating his three years of community control.

“If you violate your community control, it is my intent to sentence you to prison for 18 months,” said Washington County Common Pleas Judge Randall Burnworth.

The maximum sentence Hinton could have received was 18 months in prison. According to the plea agreement, the state asked for 90 days community control.

Hinton will be listed as a Tier 1 sex offender and will have to register with the sheriff’s office in person every year for the next 15 years. He also received five years of post-release control.

Michele Newbanks can be reached at mnewbanks@mariettatimes.com.

At a glance:

• Zachary R. Hinton, 20, of Fleming, was sentenced to 90 days in jail on Friday.

• He pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

• He was arrested in October for forcing a 14-year-old girl to perform a sexual act on him at the Barlow Fairgrounds.

• He faced a maximum prison sentence of 18 months.

Source: Washington County Court of Common Pleas.