A former Warren County man has been sentenced to probation in Rankin County after pleading guilty to one count of sexual battery.

Justin White, 26, of Flowood, was sentenced Nov. 28 by Judge William Chapman, a spokesman with the Rankin County District Attorney’s Office said. He was given a 10-year suspended prison sentence, ordered to serve five years of supervised probation and must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, said Jacque Purnell, assistant district attorney.

If convicted by a jury, White would have faced up to 30 years in prison. The plea offer was made at the request of the victim and his family, who did not want to testify at a trial, said Purnell.

White was arrested Dec. 22 along with William Crisler, 26, of Boston and formerly of Clinton, and accused of statutory rape and sexual battery involving a 15-year-old boy with whom initial contact was made through the Internet, Flowood police said.

White was released on $200,000 bond and Crisler was released on $202,000 bond, both the next day, according to records at the Rankin County Jail.

White was eventually indicted on two counts of sexual battery and not statutory rape, Purnell said.

Crisler’s case is still active. He is scheduled for trial March 12.