An Oneonta man convicted in the sexual abuse of a 10-year-old girl has been sentenced to 50 years in prison.

Dustin Lamar Peoples, 42, was convicted last month of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 12 and first-degree sodomy.

The victim testified during trial that Peoples forced her to perform oral sex on him before he would allow her to play video games on her gaming console.

The abuse took place from Aug. 7, 2018, through Christmas of the same year. The victim came forward in 2019, and Peoples was indicted that same year.

The girl was interviewed at the Blount County Children’s Center within days of her disclosure. The case was investigated by Sergeant Ed Hull with the Blount County Sheriff’s Department.

Circuit Judge Greg Reid sentenced to 50 years in prison on the sodomy conviction, and 20 years on the sex abuse conviction. The sentences will be served concurrently.

Peoples took the stand in his own defense during last month’s trial and denied wrongdoing.

The victim, now a teen, spoke at Tuesday’s sentencing and told the courtroom that she remembered being frightened that Peoples would hurt her and her family.

“He threatened to kill me and my mom and brothers and sister if I told on him for what he did to me,’’ she said. “And I was only 10 years old at the time.”

“He stole my innocence,’’ she said. “He enjoyed hurting me and doesn’t think he did anything wrong. I will never forgive him.”

A presentencing investigation showed Peoples was a high risk to reoffend.

“Children are a gift give to us by God,’’ said Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey. “Regardless of how those children come into our lives, we have a duty as parents and guardians to protect them.”

“Peoples violated that trust in the most vile way,’’ she said.

“Those offenders who violate that trust will be prosecuted to the fullest as long as I serve the people of Blount County,’’ Casey said.

“The victim displayed incredible strength and courage not only to testify in trial but to also speak at the sentencing hearing today.”