A Lancaster man will serve up to 20 years in prison for beating and sexually assaulting a woman – and for beating the woman’s toddler because the child cried as his mother was beaten.

Luis Martinez-Colomba, 33, must also register his whereabouts with police, under Megan’s Law, for the rest of his life.

Martinez-Colomba proclaimed his innocence, saying the woman lied and that his lawyer was ineffective, as Lancaster County Judge Margaret Miller ordered the 7½ -to-20-year prison term.

Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Ponessa said Martinez-Colomba is a “monster” who preys on the “weak and helpless.” ADA Ponessa cited Martinez-Colomba’s history of domestic violence convictions.

ADA Ponessa presented testimony at a January trial that Martinez-Colomba beat the woman, forced her to perform a sexual act, then beat the toddler because he cried during the assault.

The assaults happened Aug. 22, 2018, in a vehicle in Lancaster city.

Judge Miller, while ordering sentence on Tuesday, said Martinez-Colomba has been violent to every woman who came into his life and that the community must be protected from him.

When the woman reported the beatings, Martinez-Colomba hid from police for about two weeks in wooded areas in Quarryville and Lancaster County Park.

Lancaster city police Detective Heather Halstead filed charges.

A jury returned guilty verdicts to felony counts of aggravated assault of a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, endangering welfare, and two related misdemeanors.

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