Ga. man gets 19 years in prison for molesting girl

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) A 37-year-old Augusta man accused of having sex with a 12-year-old girl has been sentenced to 19 years in prison after a jury convicted him of child molestation. <br /> <br /> The Augusta Chronicle reports Brian H. Ransom was convicted and sentenced Friday. The jury deadlocked on a second charge of aggravated sexual battery. <br /> <br /> A 12-year-old girl told investigators Ransom had sex with her several times last year and jurors heard Ransom's roommate say Ransom took the girl into his bedroom and locked the door. <br /> <br /> Ransom testified he was trying to look out for the girl by sleeping beside her in a crowded house. He told the jury he had no idea why the girl would accuse him of molesting her. <br />