Paul Eran Peterson, 41, was sentenced to up to 82 years in prison Tuesday by Webster County District Court Judge John Flynn. In May, Peterson was convicted in a bench trial of six counts of third-degree sexual abuse, Class C forcible felonies; four counts of incest, Class D felonies; and one count of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, an aggravated misdemeanor.

“One of the major concerns is to protect the community and a lengthy prison sentence is how that occurs,” Flynn said during sentencing. “I also need to send a message to the community that similar conduct cannot be tolerated and will not be tolerated.”

For each of the Class C felonies, Peterson received a 10-year sentence. Each of the Class D felonies added five-year sentences and the aggravated misdemeanor added a two-year sentence, for a total of up to 82 years in prison.

Flynn also ordered that the sentences be served consecutively.

“This may be a life sentence, but it’s one that you earned and deserved,” Flynn said, citing the nature of the offenses and the need to protect the community.

“The impact that you had on (the victim’s) life in a horribly negative way, as shown in her victim’s statement, the fact that you’re not remorseful and because of that, your chances of rehabilitation, in this court’s eyes, are not great.”

Peterson will also have to register with the Iowa Sex Offender Registry for the rest of his life.

Peterson’s victim was given the opportunity to give a victim impact statement prior to Tuesday’s sentencing. The Messenger does not identify victims of sexual assault.

The victim shared about the PTSD she has lived with since her abuse.

“For a long time, it was holding me down, to where I wouldn’t do anything that I knew would set it off,” she said. “And now instead of hiding, I’ve learned to grow because of it … You did break me down into a billion pieces, but I also want you to know that you don’t scare me anymore … I’m a fighter and a survivor and I will never be held down again.”

In his sentencing, Flynn characterized Peterson’s crimes as “unspeakable,” “unthinkable” and “reprehensible.” He said the evidence of Peterson’s guilt is “overwhelming.”

“The charges spanned approximately a six-and-a-half-year time period,” Flynn said. “This wasn’t an isolated incident. You continued this conduct knowing that it was wrong, acting selfishly. … You’ve caused irreparable harm, there’s no question about that. That’s not even open for debate. You have no one to blame but yourself.”

Peterson gave a statement at the sentencing.

“I’m not the same person I was when I was first arrested over a year ago,” he said. “I’m not angry, I’m not mad. I’m filled with shame, I’m saddened for having my family in this situation. I feel regret every day I left my kids without their dad and my mom and dad without their son. If the court gives me the chance, I’m willing to spend the rest of my life trying to make up for this situation.”

He did not admit any guilt of the crimes he’s been convicted of.

“The court does not find that you’re remorseful, sir,” Flynn said to Peterson. “I find that you feel sorry for yourself and maybe your parents… I’ve yet to see any apology.”

At the end of the hearing, Flynn left Peterson with one last note.

“You forever affected, in the most negative way, (the victim),” Flynn told Peterson. “You’ll have to live with that for the rest of your life, and you’re going to want to blame other people but you have no one to blame but yourself and you deserve this sentence.”

Peterson is facing an additional series of charges in an unrelated sexual abuse case. He faces four counts of second-degree sexual abuse, a Class B felony; eight counts of third-degree sexual abuse, a Class C felony; 12 counts of incest, a Class D felony; and one count of indecent contact with a child, an aggravated misdemeanor.

On Monday, Peterson waived his right to a jury trial in that case and asked for another bench trial. That trial has not yet been scheduled.

If convicted of all 25 charges in the second case, Peterson faces an additional 242 years in prison.