A Cumming man was sentenced to 14 months in prison Friday for failing to register as a sex offender after moving from Tennessee.

William Douglas Martin, 42, was convicted of attempted sexual abuse of a minor and unlawful sexual activity with a minor in Utah in 2001.

He pleaded guilty to the charge of failing to register as a sex offender on June 10. He was sentenced Friday in U.S. District Court in Gainesville

Initially Martin was released from prison in 2004, but violated parole three times between 2005 and 2007. He was released again in 2007 and moved to Tennessee, where he registered as a sex offender and worked at Jiffy Lube.

In January 2011, it was discovered that Martin had moved to Cumming in fall of 2010, but failed to register as a sex offender.

While working at Jiffy Lube in Tennessee, Martin was accused of stealing from the company when he allegedly failed to pay for an oil change on his vehicle. The case has not been settled, however, as a result of the charges being brought in Georgia.

In addition to being sentenced to 14 months in prison, Martin also received three years of
supervised release following his prison term.

Martin's criminal history stems back to 1988, with multiple charges including burglary and theft.

Jill Steinberg, prosecuting attorney representing the federal government, asked Judge Richard Story to impose the maximum sentence of 18 months in prison. She cited Martin's long criminal history including a statutory rape claim in 1993 by a 14-year-old girl. Martin was never convicted on that charge, however.

Brian Mendelsohn, defense attorney representing Martin, requested a year-and-one-day sentence.

Mendelsohn argued Martin's past criminal offenses were minor charges and occurred when he was between 15 and 20 years old.

He also cited Martin's environment growing up, which he said involved living with alcoholic and abusive parents.

Martin addressed the court asking for a chance to "live a normal life."

"I would like to accept responsibility for my action and move on," he said.

Story did not impose a fine citing significant debt currently held by Martin and a desire for him to have the ability to pay for living expenses upon his release from prison.

Steinberg and Mendelsohn both said they agreed with the sentence.

"I think it was a reasonable sentence," said Mendelsohn.

"We considered this crime ... to be very serious and he has a very serious criminal history, so he was deserving of really a high sentence and the guidelines called for a sentence within that range," Steinberg said.