A 34-year-old man has been sentenced to 281 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of sexually abusing five children who lived with him, authorities said.

In April, Gerardo Estrada was found guilty of:

• Seven counts of sexual conduct with a minor.
• Two counts of sexual conduct with a minor.
• Three counts of molestation of a child.
• One count of sexual abuse.

At sentencing this week, Estrada received what is referred to as “flat time,” which means he must serve every day of his 281-year sentence without the possibility of release, according to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

His victims ranged between the ages of 5 and 16 years old when the assaults began, an MCAO release stated.

“These young victims endured horrific abuse at an early age. It is truly an act of bravery for each to have summoned the strength to report these crimes,” Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said.

“They will live with the emotional scars and the painful memories for the rest of their lives. For these reasons and many more, this criminal deserves the punishment imposed by the court.”

 MCAO advised anyone who witnesses child abuse to report it to local law enforcement and the Arizona Department of Child Safety at 1-888-SOS-CHILD (1-888-767-2445) or ChildHelp at 1-800-422-4453. 

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