A Niles man who sexually abused two children repeatedly for years will serve prison time for his crimes.

Michael Henderson,  32, pleaded guilty Aug. 16 to criminal sexual conduct first degree and two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. He was sentenced by Berrien County Trial Court Judge Angela Pasula Monday to a minimum of 20 years to a maximum of 50 years in the Michigan Department of Corrections for the first charge. For the second and third charges, he will serve a minimum of 68 months to a maximum of 15 years. The sentences will be served concurrently.

On June 29, two victims, ages 13 and 17, went to the Niles Police Department to report that Henderson had abused them sexually for six years. One of the victims told police she was 6 years old when the crimes first began occurring.

The victims did not wish to be present in the court that morning, according to Assistant Prosecutor Cortney O’Malley Septoski.

Septoski asked the judge to give Henderson the maximum sentence.

“These young girls were not subject to just one or two incidents. This was an ongoing issue,” Septoski said. “This will shape their lives forever and shape who they are. I would ask that for protection of the community that he be required to serve that minimum of 20 years and the maximum of 60.”

Pasula called Henderson’s crimes “unrelenting abuse” and said he had robbed the victims of their innocence.

“I agree that your sentence should be lengthy,” Pasula said. “Every day you serve will be another day the victims will heal and become stronger.”

Defense Attorney Scott Sanford said Henderson had also suffered abuse in his past and that he had struggled with substance abuse.

When it was his turn to speak, Henderson apologized for the crimes.

“I am truly sorry for what I did,” Henderson said. “I feel it was wrong. I am sorry. I was abused and went around it the wrong way.”

Pasula also said that Henderson had threatened the victims to assure that they would keep quiet about the crimes.

“They lived in fear of your actions,” Pasula said. “After years of this abuse, one of the victims found the strength to notify the police.”

In addition to struggling with an abusive past and substance addiction, he said that he had an IQ of 79 and had been told he was mentally disabled. Sanford said Henderson was not diagnosed with any mental illness.

Henderson has been on probation twice and served jail time twice, according to Pasula.

Henderson will be required to be on the lifetime electronic monitoring and register as a sex offender. Henderson has credit for 80 days served.

Also sentenced Monday:

• James Kirtdoll, 19,  of Niles, was charged with third-degree fleeing and eluding the police. He was sentenced to a minimum of 16 months and a maximum of five years in the Michigan Department of Corrections.

• Bobby Roche, 31, of Niles, was charged with forgery. He was sentenced to two years of probation and 90 days in any penial institution, due to pending Indiana charges. He has credit for 44 days served.

• Jeff Allen, 34, of Niles, was charged with domestic violence second offense and resisting and obstructing an officer. He was sentenced to a minimum of 16 months to a maximum of 24 months in the Michigan Department of Corrections.

• Jasmine White, 28, of Niles, was charged with attempted tampering with evidence. She was sentenced to two years of probation and 40 hours of community service.