FLOYD COUNTY, Ga. — A former North Georgia youth minister will spend a little over a decade in prison after being convicted of child molestation charges.

According to court records obtained by WSB, Austin Wray Perkins has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after taking a plea deal in September. He will also serve 25 years of probation concurrently with his time in prison.

Officials added that Perkins will have to register as a sex offender.

In March 2022, Floyd County police officials announced the arrest of several individuals suspected of producing child pornography in the area after they received tips about the images being created and involving children from ages 2 to 12 years old. Perkins was identified as one of the suspects who was arrested.

Police added that they also rescued a child from a home where the pornography was produced.

Floyd County investigators said Perkins coached the child about acting in videos and molested the child.

According to the investigation, the child had no family for support Perkins had taken in for care.

Investigators said Perkins was a Grace Fellowship Baptist Church youth minister in Cave Spring.

“He was coached,” Sgt. Chris Fincher said. “He was directed in what to do and actions to take. That’s what makes this such an egregious crime.”

Perkins pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated child molestation, child molestation, possession or control of any material depicting the minor in a sexual context and employing/using the minor to engage in/assist a person in sex.

WSB-TV’s Mary Alice Royse Ginther contributed to this report.