(COLDWATER) – A plea bargain has been reached with a Coldwater man facing multiple criminal sexual conduct charges involving a child.

Branch County Circuit Court officials say 69 year old Dennis Watson entered no contest pleas to a charge of first degree criminal sexual conduct with an underage girl; and to a charge of second degree criminal sexual conduct. In exchange for the pleas, Branch County Prosecutor Zach Stempien dismissed eight other charges.

Watson was arrested by Michigan State Police following their investigation into the alleged crimes. Stempien says the abuse was happening for at least eight years.

Court officials say the First Degree criminal sexual conduct charge has a minimum mandatory prison sentence of 25 years to life. The Second Degree CSC charge can be punishable by up to 15 years in prison. With the plea
agreement, Watson will be in prison until at least he is 93 years old.

Sentencing is set for July 26.