CASSOPOLIS — A man who prosecutors said committed “heinous crimes” will spend the next several years of his life behind bars.

Cass County Circuit Court Judge Mark Herman sentenced George Allen Clark, 22, of the 400 block of Waukpnda Avenue in Benton Harbor, to six to 14 years in prison Friday on two charges of third degree criminal sexual conduct.

Clark pleaded guilty to the charges during a May 7 court appearance. Also as part of his sentence, Clark is to have no contact with his victims or their families for the duration of his sentence and he must register as a sex offender.

The charges stem from events that took place from 2007 to 2013 in Cass County. During that time, Clark, on separate instances had sexual contact with a girl between the ages of 13 and 14.

The case marks Clark’s third conviction of criminal sexual conduct, and, at the time of sentencing, he was in prison for violating parole on his first conviction.

“This is a very sad and concerning case we are looking at here,” said Prosecuting Attorney Thomas Hubbert.

Hubbert said based on the nature of the charges and the fact that Clark has had multiple victims over the course of his multiple convictions, he agreed with the court’s recommendation for prison time for Clark’s crimes.

Clark’s attorney, James Miller, asked that Clark be sentenced on the low end of the sentencing guidelines, saying that Clark was young — barely 18 years old — when the offenses occurred.

When it came his time to make a statement, Clark apologized to the court for his crimes, adding that he wanted to be a better man for his young daughter.

“I agree with the prosecutor. My crimes were heinous,” he said. “I do take full responsibility for my actions. I do accept the consequences for what I have done, the things I did as a juvenile.”

Ultimately, Judge Herman agreed with the six to 14-year prison sentence recommendation.

“You are 22 years old, and there is not much to say in this case,” Herman said. “As the prosecutor indicated, this case is reprehensible.”

Herman said Clark’s past criminal sexual conduct convictions warranted the sentencing.

“Society does need to be protected from you,” Herman told Clark Friday. “Hopefully, you will learn. You indicated you want to address your issues, and I can assure you that if you don’t change your ways, you will spend the bulk of your life in prison. … You need to make some changes.”