A man who sexually assaulted three teenage girls, and who used religion as a catalyst for abuse, has been sentenced to 54 years to life in prison, according to prosecutors.

Bradley J. Marcotte, 57, was sentenced Friday afternoon by District Judge John W. Madden IV, according to a Denver district attorney’s office news release.

In August, a jury found Marcotte guilty of 11 counts of sexual assault on a child. Marcotte used “their shared Catholic faith as a catalyst for the abuse” of the three victims, the release said.

“The abuse Bradley Marcotte committed against these teenage girls was intentional and manipulative,” said District Attorney Beth McCann. “Marcotte is a sexual predator who targeted vulnerable girls and manipulated them into believing he was their spiritual adviser. His victims are to be commended for finding the strength to confront their abuser whose sentence is appropriate given the damage he has caused.”