A 30-year-old Austin man was sentenced to at least four years in prison last week for sexually abusing a young girl several times between 2004 and 2007.

Jason Bartholomew Spear was convicted on three felony counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct Thursday. He had pleaded guilty to the charges in July.

The victim would have been between 5- and 8-years-old when the abuse occurred. She told authorities that it happened on at least five occasions in that span.

Judge Donald Rysavy levied a 72-month sentence against Spear, of which at least 48 months must be served in prison before he is eligible for supervised release, according to court records.

Spear must also comply with predatory registration requirements and pay any restitution claims that could come his way. He is prohibited from contacting the victim or her family.

Spear moved to Nevada in 2007 and, when interviewed by local authorities about the allegations in 2008, he denied all charges. He initially pleaded not guilty in January but later amended his plea.