COURTLAND—A former sergeant with the Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday pleaded no contest to having sexual contact with a 13-year-old girl between September 2009 and January 2010.

The plea to six counts of sexual abuse means Ronald Carwile, who resigned from the sheriff’s department on June 15, doesn’t disagree with the charges, yet he contends he’s not guilty.

“I maintain my innocence and enter the plea because it’s in my best interest (to do so),” Carwile told Judge Robert O’Hara.

Carwile, 49, of Franklin will serve four months in jail and 10 years of probation. Carwile will have to register as a sex offender for 12 years and he can no longer work in law enforcement.

Defense attorney Jack Randall said Carwile’s 3-year-old son weighed heavily on his decision to enter the plea.

“He has vehemently denied any sexual abuse, inappropriate touching or criminal activity,” Randall said. “To this day, he has denied these allegations.”

The prosecution had no forensic evidence to suggest the crimes took place, Randall said.

Halifax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Kim White said records show there were text messages of a “sexual nature” sent from Carwile’s phone to the victim’s phone.

Randall said Carwile disputes that he sent those messages.

White said the alleged victim, who did not wish to testify and “wanted to put the matter behind her,” is in a foster home outside the area.

Carwile will not serve his time at Western Tidewater Regional Jail because of safety concerns related to his involvement with police work in Isle of Wight County.