(COLDWATER) – Sentence has been handed down to a Coldwater man who had been arrested on sex crime charges.

Branch County Circuit Court officials say 69 year old Dennis Watson was sentenced to serve between 25 and 50 years in prison on a charge of first degree criminal sexual conduct with an underage girl. He was also given a concurrent sentence of 57 months to 15 years for a charge of second degree criminal sexual conduct.

Watson was originally arrested on ten counts, following an investigation by Michigan State Police, who say the crimes happened over a period of eight years. He later entered no contest pleas to the first and second degree criminal sexual conduct charges. The eight other charges against Watson were dismissed by the Branch County Prosecutor's Office.