A Buchanan man who sexually abused a child for years will serve a minimum of 22 years to a maximum of 70 years in prison.

Victor Aranda, 28, a homeless man, pleaded guilty July 31 to two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct perpetrated against a child under the age of 13. He was sentenced Monday morning by presiding Judge Angela Pasula at the Berrien County Trial Court in Niles.

Handcuffed and clad in a green penitentiary jumpsuit, Aranda sobbed as he was escorted into the courtroom by police, where he was seated next to defense attorney Scott Sanford.

Prior to sentencing, Aranda nearly reneged his plea agreement and disputed information from the victim’s testimony stating that the criminal sexual conduct occurred between April 17, 2010, and Feb. 28.

“I have only done it this present year,” Aranda said. “It was not over a long period of time.”

Pasula then proceeded to play back a recording of Aranda’s plea where he agreed to the times documented in the court report.

She then asked Sanford if his client wished to withdrawal the plea he had made while under oath — to which Aranda said he did not.

The crimes were reported to the Berrien County Sheriff Department on May 18. The victim told police that the criminal sexual conduct acts began when she was 6 years old.

Police also learned that some of the crimes had been captured via video and pictures on Aranda’s phone. Police executed a search warrant for the phone and found evidence of the crimes that the victim had described.   

The victim was present in courtroom that morning, but did not wish to address the court.

Prosecutor Gerald Vigansky called this one of the most “heinous” crimes he has ever seen.

“The acts that he did to [the victim] were appalling,” Vigansky said. “He deserves every single day of that 22 years. He deserves to rot in prison. He abused [the victim] for seven years. That’s horrible. He abused her over and over.”

Pasula echoed this sentiment.

“You devastated her life,” Pasula said. “You shattered her youth and innocence.”

According to Pasula, Aranda has two separate convictions for criminal sexual conduct and has been to jail twice. He has also been convicted for surveilling and unclothed person.

“It sounds like you have a very significant problem,” Pasula said.

Sanford told the court his client had also suffered sexual abuse when he was growing up and that the crime was one of perpetuation.

“He’s a victim [of abuse] as well,” Sanford said. “I know he is remorseful, because I’ve seen it.”

When it was his turn to address the court, Aranda said he wished to read the judge several Bible verses he had marked.

“I am not going to listen Bible verses at this time,” Pasula said. “This is the time for you to tell me what you want me to know before I sentence you.”

Giving up on the Bible verses, Aranda at last read from a hand-written letter which he described as “his life in pages.” In the contents of the letter, he asked the judge for as much “leniency” as possible. Aranda referred to his own abuse and stated that he also suffered from ADHD and depression.

“I truly appreciate your time, your honor,” Aranda said. “None-the-less, I take full responsibility and truly apologize to the ones I have let down.”

In response, Pasula said Aranda could not blame his ADHD and depression for his actions.

“Your acts are your choices,” Pasula said. “Preventing this was in your control, 100 percent.”

Aranda asked that his family be able to read the rest of what he had written.

Pasula said the family would get to decide whether or not they wanted to read the letter.

Aranda has credit for 80 days served.