LAKELAND — A Valdosta man was convicted and sentenced Wednesday for having an inappropriate sexual relationship with his stepdaughter in 2007.

Shelton Leonard Bradley, 36, was found guilty of aggravated child molestation, rape and incest in Lanier County Superior Court.

The jury deliberated for approximately two hours before returning guilty verdicts on all counts.

Alapaha Judicial Circuit Superior Court Chief Judge Dane Perkins sentenced Bradley to 25 years in prison.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Assistant District Attorney Charlie Stines. Bradley was represented by Public Defender Melinda Ryals.

Alapaha Judicial Circuit District Attorney Cathy Helms commended Stines for his “strong commitment to seeking justice in this case.” Helms also praised The Haven personnel, as well as former Lanier County Sheriff's Office investigator Tim Roberts, former deputy Josh Brogdon and deputy Jason Conger.

Bradley was arrested for raping and molesting his stepdaughter, who was 15 years old at the time, on the night of Dec. 10 and into the morning of Dec. 11, 2007. The family was living near Ray City in Lanier County at the time.

During the early morning hours of Dec. 11, 2007, the stepdaughter climbed out of her bedroom window to escape Bradley and fled to a neighbor’s house. The neighbor called 911.

Bradley was subsequently arrested and charged with rape, incest and aggravated child molestation.

“This was an extremely difficult case, and it took teamwork under Charlie's (Stines) leadership to bring this sexual predator to justice,” Helms said. “We are all very relieved this offender will be off our streets for a very, very long time.”