A Lockhart man, described as a “violent child sex offender,” was sentenced to 30 years in prison Friday in Walton County, Fla.

Omer Stokes, 38, was arrested in February by the U.S. Marshals, following allegations he sexually abused a then 10-year-old female over a two-year period at locations in Alabama and at a Laurel Hill, Fla., residence. Previous reports indicated at one point, Stokes allegedly punched the girl in the mouth for what he described as “being sassy.”

He was convicted in October for lewd and lascivious molestation on a child under 12 and sentenced Friday to 30 years in prison. Once released, Stokes will be designated a sexual predator and will be required to wear an electronic tracking bracelet once he’s released from prison.