A North Carolina man previously convicted in May of sexually abusing four minor victims in Lancaster city was sentenced Tuesday.

Angel Merced, 53 of Mecklenburg, North Carolina, was sentenced to 36 to 72 years in prison in Lancaster County Court by Judge Dennis Reinaker.

A jury found Merced guilty of three counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, seven counts of aggravated indecent assault, four counts of indecent assault, and four counts of corruption of minors following a three-day trial.

One of the victims had written in a school notebook about being abused, which an adult then read and reported. The victims ranged in age from 6 to 12. The abuse occurred at homes on South Lime and South Duke streets from 2007 to 2009.

Lancaster City Bureau of Police Detective Jessica Higgins filed charges and testified.

Assistant District Attorney Fritz Haverstick prosecuted the case.

YWCA Lancaster runs a 24-hour sexual assault hotline, 717-392-7273, that connects callers to free, confidential counseling and therapy services for community members impacted by sexual abuse, harassment, or assault.

Lancaster County's designated rape crisis center at the YWCA Lancaster provides no cost counseling and therapy for survivors and significant others impacted by sexual abuse, harassment, or assault. Contact 717-869-5009 or wehearyou@ywcalancaster.org for more information or to schedule an appointment.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sean McBryan, semcbryan@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @SeanMcBryanLanc.