Travis Debrelle Smith

THOMASVILLE — A Thomas County Superior Court judge sentenced a convicted child molester to two concurrent 30-year prison sentences, with the first 25 years to be served in a Georgia penitentiary.

Travis Debrell Smith, 42, was charged in 2015 with sodomy, aggravated child molestation, enticing a child for indecent purposes, child molestation and sodomy after the Thomas County Department of Family and Children Services contacted the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office.

The victim underwent a forensic interview at The Treehouse Children’s Advocacy Center in Thomasville. A forensic interview establishes a rapport with a child and learns facts without asking leading questions.

The girl, who lived in another community, said Smith had sexual contact with her.

Smith was taken into custody by deputies at his Ponder Road residence and interviewed by investigators before being charged. He denied the allegations, investigators said.

Smith was found guilty by a Thomas County Superior Court jury in April 2016.

He has been held without bond at the Thomas County Jail since being arrested. The Thursday sentence meted by Judge Richard Cowart gives the defendant credit for time served in jail

After serving the 25-year prison term, Smith will be on probation for five years. 

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820