WISE, Va. — A Wise County man has been sentenced to nearly 16 years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated sexual battery.

David Thomas Arnold, 62, of Wise, was sentenced to 15 years and 11 months in prison in Wise County Circuit Court on Tuesday.

Arnold was originally faced additional charges, including sexual assault of a victim under age 13 and taking indecent liberties with a child, but those charges were dropped in exchange for his guilty plea.

Lee County Commonwealth’s Attorney H. Fuller Cridlin, who served as special prosecutor in the case, said that due to Arnold’s age and health, it is likely he will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Arnold continues to be held in the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail at Duffield.