A man previously convicted of statutory rape is going back to prison after a jury found him guilty of another sex crime involving children, the Henry County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release.

Joseph Gene Walker, 42, was sentenced to 30 years with 15 to serve Thursday for exposing himself to children on a playground at a McDonough apartment complex, Henry County officials said.

Walker was convicted of two counts of child molestation, loitering, public indecency, public drunkenness and obstruction of an officer. He was also found in violation of the sex offender registry.

On July 29, 2017, police arrived at the playground at the Echelon Park Apartments on McDonough Parkway after a babysitter said she saw Walker expose his genitals and masturbated.

Walker, who was intoxicated, ran from police when the babysitter pointed him out, authorities said. Walker ignored commands to stop, but was arrested a short time later.

Police later learned Walker was a sex offender and was in violation of the registry requirements.

According to the Georgia Department of Corrections, Walker was convicted in 2004 of statutory rape in Clayton County. He was released in 2008.

In addition to his prison sentence, Walker must remain on the sex offender registry for the rest of his life.

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In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

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