A Columbia man will serve up to 40 years in prison for sex abuse of a pre-teen girl.

Lancaster County Judge Merrill Spahn told Nickalaus Stoutzenberger his crimes will impact the victim for the rest of her life, while ordering a 16 ½-to-40-year state-prison term.

Stoutzenberger, 24, was sentenced Monday, about three months after Judge Spahn convicted him of three charges, including a first-degree felony count of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child.

The convictions regard sexual abuse in 2009 and 2010 at a home in Manor Township, beginning when the girl was 6 years old.

In court Monday, Assistant District Attorney Amber Czerniakowski called Stoutzenberger a dangerous person who has long exhibited signs of pedophilia, a sexual attraction to children.

As part of sentence, Stoutzenberger must register his whereabouts with police, under Megan’s Law, for the rest of his life.

The victim testified at trial about the abuse.

Czerniakowski also presented a transcript of an online chat Stoutzenberger had with another individual regarding the conduct.

Manor Township police Detective Tricia Mazur filed charges.

MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright