A Clanton man was sentenced Wednesday morning to four years in prison for one count of sexual abuse in the first degree.

Clint Morgan Burnett, 23, appeared in court before Chilton County Circuit Judge Ben A. Fuller shortly after 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Burnett was originally charged with three counts of sodomy (Class A felonies) and one count of sexual abuse of a child less than 12 (Class B felony).

Prosecutors agreed to drop three counts (two counts sodomy and one count of sexual abuse of a child less than 12, in exchange for a guilty plea to an amended charge of one count sexual abuse in the first degree (Class C felony), according to court documents.

Burnett was a volunteer firefighter at Fairview Volunteer Fire Department, and authorities at the time of the arrest confirmed some of the crimes occurred at the fire department.

Authorities at the time of Burnett’s arrest said they became involved in the case through a family member of the victim making a report to the Chilton County Department of Human Resources (DHR).

The Chilton County Sheriff’s Department started the investigation after the report from DHR was made.

Fairview Volunteer Fire Chief Joe Cole said at the time of Burnett’s arrest that representatives at the fire department were not aware some of the occurrences were taking place at the fire department.

Burnett was placed on a leave of absence at the time of his arrest.

Authorities confirmed it was the same male victim on all counts.

Fuller said he thought the plea agreement was “extremely favorable” before sentencing Burnett to four years at the Alabama Department of Corrections (DOC).

Burnett appeared in civilian clothes with more than 10 people standing behind him as the judge delivered the sentence.

Although several individuals standing behind Burnett started crying when the judge delivered the sentence, Burnett showed no emotion as he was escorted out of the courtroom and taken into custody.