Larry Dale Kelley

Larry D. Kelley, 63, of Lawrence, was sentenced to 18 years in prison Friday after pleading guilty in December to aggravated criminal sodomy and aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

Kelley admitted to “multiple incidents of sexual contact” with a Lawrence boy between January 2012 and November 2013, according to the affidavit supporting his arrest. The boy was 11 years old when the abuse began.

Excerpts of Kelley’s police interview and confession were played at the sentencing hearing.

Lawrence police first learned of Kelley’s sexual abuse of the child when the child’s parents found a cellphone Kelley had purchased for the boy, according to the affidavit. The cellphone contained sexual messages between Kelley and the child.

Kelley obtained the 214-month sentence as part of a plea deal the state offered because of his age. He will be 82 years old when he is released.

After Kelley serves his sentence, he will be on parole and have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

The Journal-World requested a booking photo of Kelley from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Friday afternoon.