A Virden man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison.

On Tuesday, Associate Judge Joshua A. Meyer sentenced 33 year old Thomas A. Hess to the prison term afte a Macoupin County Jury found Hess quilty of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child.

According to Macoupin County State's Attorney Jennifer A. Watson, the sentence stems from allegations that began when the child was 6 to 7 years old.

In November of 2016, the child disclosed to a family member that Hess was sexually assaulting her when she was at his home. Authorities were notified, along with DCFS the Virden Police Department investigated the sexual assault complaint. Following the investigation, Hess was arrested on December 20, 2016. He has been held at the Macoupin County Jail since that time.

Hess will be required to serve 85% of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.