A DeRidder man convicted of two counts of sexual abuse of a child has been sentenced to serve a total of 45 years without possibility of early release, according to court officials.

Timothy Lee Deason was sentenced by 36th Judicial District Judge Martha Ann O’Neal to serve 35 years for the conviction of sexual battery of a child under the age of 13.

Judge O’Neal additionally sentenced Deason to serve 10 years, the maximum possible sentence, for the conviction of sexual battery of a child under the age of 15.

The sentences were ordered to be served consecutively.

Upon his ultimate release, Deason will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, and be subject to monitoring.

Deason was convicted on May 26 after a four-day trial. It was one case of many that had seen significant delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and hurricanes, and Beauregard Parish District Attorney James Lestage praised the victims and their families for their perseverance during those delays.

“They bravely persevered to make sure that this defendant will not hurt another young person. I truly hope that this verdict brings a sense of closure to these young people and that they continue to heal,” Lestage said following Deason’s conviction.

Beauregard Parish Assistant District Attorney Wayne Bush was the lead prosecutor.