A Campobello, S.C. man was sentenced to 18 years in prison Tuesday, Dec. 17 after he pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a child over several years.

Samuel S. Owens, 46, of 40 Boxelder Court, Campobello, S.C. pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor and lewd act on a minor.

The crimes originally were reported to the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office on June 11, 2011. According to reports, the victim described the assaults in detailed statements to officers.

The assaults occurred on multiple occasions over years, according to reports.

Following a polygraph test, Owens admitted to improperly touching the child after deception was indicated on the polygraph, according to a statement from the Seventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office.

Owens will serve 80 percent of his sentence, or a little more than 14 years before to being eligible for parole.

Owens also will be a registered sex offender, with his name being added to the sex offender registry.