38-year-old John Praveen was sentenced to 6 years in prison for sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl in the Rapid City Church, South Dakota last year.

Judge Steven Mandel gave the sentence on Friday.

Judge Steven Mandel sentenced John Praveen to 6 years in prison and added that he would be eligible for parole after serving 3 years in prison.

38-year-old John Praveen pleaded guilty to one count of having a sexual conduct with a kid that is under 16-years-old, a crime that can give you a maximum of 15-years of jail time.

Judge Steven Mandel said that if John Praveen is granted parole after he serves 3 years, the parole board can ask the Homeland Security to deport him to India or have him serve his parole in any state of the United States of America.

In December 2017, Praveen joined the Rapid City Diocese for a 10-year assignment.

John Praveen apologized and said, “I send my sincere apologies to the family and the victim about what I have done.”

John also apologized about the incident and said that he wishes that he could take back what he did to the minor.

John Praveen was seen crying inside the court while he was sentenced on Friday. He added that he knows saying sorry is not really enough and promised that he will never hurt anyone.

Bishop Robert Gruss from Rapid City apologized to the family of the victim and to the victim, he said, “I am deeply sorry that they had to experience these sinful actions at the hands of a priest. The pain and suffering of this family have been great. Only those who have been victims of abuse of any kind can understand the trauma. The experience of betrayal is great. Crimes of sexual abuse can never be tolerated, most especially among priests.”

Bishop Robert called the actions of Praveen sinful and traumatic. He apologized on behalf of the Diocese of Rapid City.