WATERBURY — A 41-year-old Naugatuck man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for multiple crimes stemming from the sexual assaults of minors.

A jury in Waterbury Superior Court in October found James Aho guilty of all counts he faced, including first- and second-degree sexual assault, strangulation and illegal sexual contact.

Aho came to the attention of police in 2018 after he was shot in Prospect following a fight at his wedding reception that stemmed from allegations he was molesting and raping children.

After leaving the reception, Aho showed up hours later at his then-father-in-law’s home in Prospect. The older man, armed with a gun, confronted Aho outside the home, telling him he couldn’t believe what Aho had done. Aho made a crude remark, threw a beer at the older man and charged at him, a witness told police.

Aho was shot in the stomach by the bride’s father when he charged at the older man, according to police reports. He and his wife later divorced.

In the following weeks, investigators interviewed a girl who told them Aho had molested her for years, as well as harassing her and choking her until she passed out.

A second young girl told an investigator Aho forced himself on her. One of the girls disclosed the abuse to the relative who confronted Aho about it at the party, which led to the police investigation.

Aho was sentenced to 50 years in prison, but that sentence was suspended after 35 years. He will also be on probation for 20 years, records show.

Aho has a criminal history that includes a felony robbery conviction.

Senior assistant state’s attorneys Amy Sedensky and Don Therkildsen Jr. prosecuted the case against Aho.