CLEAR LAKE — A Clear Lake man convicted of second-degree sexual abuse has been sentenced to 25 years in prison.

61-year-old Amando Montealvo was charged with two counts of second-degree sexual abuse after being accused of sexually abusing two girls under the age of 12 in Clear Lake 13 to 17 years ago. He was sentenced for up to 10 years in prison after entering an Alford plea to one count of lascivious acts with a child as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors.

Montealvo in January 2018 filed a petition in district court for post-conviction relief, claiming that his attorney failed to properly advise him of the consequences of the plea agreement would have on his immigration status. District Judge Rustin Davenport set aside Montealvo’s conviction but ruled the original charges should be reinstated.

Montealvo then opted to take the case to trial rather than re-enter plea negotiations. Montealvo was found guilty of second-degree sexual abuse in July by a Cerro Gordo County jury.

Judge Christopher Foy this week denied Montealvo’s motion for a new trial and sentenced him to 25 years in prison.