HAHNVILLE — John Elmer, 70, of Bayou Gauche, was sentenced to the maximum jail time provided by law for four counts of molestation of a juvenile.

Judge M. Lauren Lemmon sentenced Elmer to 99 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections on three counts of molestation of a juvenile to be served concurrently with the Louisiana Department of Corrections.

On the final count, distinguished by the victim being at least 13 years old at the time of the offense, Elmer was sentenced to 20 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections.

The sexual contact was said to have occurred over a multi-year span, when the victim was 10 to 13 years old.

The 20-year sentence is to be served consecutively to the 99-year sentence.

Elmer was convicted Jan. 24 in St. Charles Parish at the conclusion of a three-day trial. The jury deliberated for more than three hours before voting to convict.

Assistant District Attorney Rochelle Champagne Fahrig prosecuted the case against Elmer.

St. Charles Parish District Attorney Joel T. Chaisson II said the sentencing fit the offense against the young victim.

“The sentence imposed in this case is most appropriate in light of the facts and the lack of remorse shown by the defendant,” Chaisson said.

“The victim in this case endured unspeakable horror and trauma at the hands of this evil man. She and her family deserve the opportunity to start their lives over without fear and it is my sincerest hope that this sentence will lay the foundation for that journey of healing.”