HUNTINGTON -- A Huntington man learned this week he will spend at least 25 years in prison, after being charged with a decade of sexual assault and abuse.

Paul E. Beals II, 43, was sentenced Tuesday in Cabell Circuit Court, according to court documents.

Judge Alfred Ferguson ordered a 15- to 35-year prison sentence for first-degree sexual assault and a 10- to 20-year sentence for sexual abuse by a parent, guardian or custodian. The punishments will be served one after the other.

Beals had pleaded guilty in July 2009 to single counts of both crimes.

The charges were included within a 20-count indictment that charged Beals with incidents from 1999 to 2008. It alleged 10 counts of sexual assault and as many counts of sexual abuse. Prosecutors agreed to dismiss 18 counts of the indictment in return for Beals' admission.

Beals has been incarcerated at the Western Regional Jail ever since his arrest in December 2008. Criminal complaints at that time alleged the defendant used psychological intimidation and threats to coerce the victim.

Beals must serve 25 years of the prison sentence before he is eligible for parole consideration. He could discharge the sentence in 27 and a half years with good behavior.

In addition to the prison sentence, Beals' punishment also includes 25 years of supervised release and a mandatory, lifetime listing on the state's sex offender registry. He will receive credit for time served behind bars prior to this week's sentencing.

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