A Hudson Valley man appealed his long prison sentence for the predatory sexual assault of an 11-year-old.

In 2010, Noel Russel of South Fallsburgh continually sexually abused an 11-year-old girl during six month period. He was arrested in March of 2011 after an investigation by the Sullivan County Family Violence Response Team.

Russell was charged with predatory sexual assault because he had a prior rape conviction in 2005 that served as a basis to enhance the penalties he faced as a repeat sexual offender, according to the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office.

In 2014 a Sullivan County jury found Russel guilty. He later was sentenced to 50 years to life in prison.

On Friday, the Appellate Division, Third Department affirmed the conviction of Russel for the predatory sexual assault of an 11-year-old.

In a unanimous decision, the appellate court rejected all of Russell's arguments on appeal, including his contention that the sentence was excessive.

"I am pleased that the appellate court unanimously affirmed Russell's convictions, as found by a Sullivan County jury, and the 50 to life sentence imposed upon him in this case,” Sullivan County District Attorney Jim Farrell said in a press release. “His actions were devastating to the young victim and the sentence sought by my office, handed down by the trial court and upheld by the appellate court was proper and just. This defendant will never hurt another child ever again as he will properly spend the rest of his life behind bars."

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