A man accused of disturbing sex crimes, against young girls, is going to prison.

27- year-old Benny Melton of Richlands was arrested in Onslow County this spring on 16 counts of sex crimes with four underage girls, between the ages of eight and 12 years old. Lawmen say the crimes went on for nearly two years.

Court officials say Melton pleaded guilty in court, just before the victims were supposed to testify against him. Melton was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

A man is charged with multiple sex offenses involving four underage girls, one as young as eight-years-old.

The Onslow County Sheriff's Office arrested 26-year-old Benny Melton of Richlands and charged him with sixteen sex offense charges with the four girls. In addition to the eight-year-old, authorities say the other victims were twelve or younger.

Detectives say Melton engaged in various sex acts from June 2009 until March 2011.

Melton's bond was set at $412,000.