A Carbon County man was sentenced to a state prison on Tuesday in Carbon County court for sexually assaulting a mentally challenged girl.

Blaine William Kirchner, 61, was sentenced by President Judge Roger N. Nanovic to serve a total of 19 to 38 months in a state prison on counts of corruption of a minor, indecent assault and indecent exposure. Kirschner previously pleaded guilty to the charges.Kirchner was charged by state police at Lehighton for having sexual contact with the girl, then between the age of 14-15, at a home in Lower Towamensing Township, between September 2011 and September 2012.Troopers charged that Kirchner had inappropriate contact with the victim on numerous occasions.The victim disclosed the abuse to her school bus driver and the school bus aide on Oct. 1, 2012. The victim's father contacted state police and reported the incident.When confronted by troopers, Kirchner denied the allegations. He said he never sexually assaulted the victim and said he had no idea why she would make such a claim.Before the sentencing proceeding, Nanovic conducted a sexual offenders hearing to determine if Kirchner was a sexually violent predator. Following a hearing, which included testimony from a member of the state sexual offenders board which had determined Kirchner was a sexually violent predator, Nanovic affirmed the board's decision and ruled the defendant was a sexually violent predator, which means under Megan's Law he must register for the rest of his life as a sexual offender with the state police.Kirchner apologized for what happened, telling Nanovic, "I'm ashamed and embarrassed. I have no excuse for my actions." He added that he took full responsibility for "what I did."Kirchner, who read a prepared statement to the court, blamed his actions on a long-term drug addiction problem. He said he never would have done the acts to the girl if it wasn't for his drug addiction.He and his defense attorney, Gregory L. Mousseau, public defender, asked Nanovic to sentence Kirchner to a time-served sentence. He has been in the county prison since his arrest in 2012. Kirchner said he wants to get help for his addiction problem and has been taking all counseling and programs available to him at the county prison.Nanovic rejected Kirchner's claim that his drug addiction caused his actions.He said, "I don't know of any information that states meth turns a person to abuse of a child." He added, "This will affect her for the rest of her life."Assistant District Attorney Michael S. Greek told the court that the commonwealth agreed to a plea agreement in which two of the counts are misdemeanors and one is a felony, while more serous counts such as rape, statutory sexual assault and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse were dropped.Greek said he agreed to it because it saved the victim from having to come into court and testify before a jury.The father of the victim also spoke.He said he did not accept the apology of Kirchner. "He took advantage of my daughter, who is mentally challenged." He added, "A few tears do not make up for what she has gone through and has already suffered."Nanovic said, "I don't accept drugs as an excuse in this case." He added that the type of help Kirchner needs can only be available to him in the state prison system.In addition to the jail term, Nanovic ordered Kirchner to make restitution to the victim's compensation board of $1,000; get both drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations; submit to a sexual offenders evaluation; zero tolerance for drug and alcohol use; have no contact with the victim or her family; and supply a DNA sample.Nanovic also reminded Kirchner of the strict provisions of Megan's Law concerning his registration requirements as a sexual offender upon his release on parole.Kirchner has credit for at least 259 days. Mousseau also asked the court to order the probation office to recheck that figure, feeling his client may be entitled to more credit. Nanovic agreed.The case has a long history. Kirchner pleaded guilty on Sept. 6, 2013. Nanovic then ordered the adult probation office to prepare a presentence investigation report and also that the defendant must undergo an evaluation by the state sexual offenders board.On Jan. 27, Kirchner filed a petition to withdraw his plea and also asked for a new attorney to be appointed to represent him.In March, those petitions were dismissed by Nanovic after Kirchner informed the court he did not want to pursue them.