A former principal at a Lynwood high school who allegedly had a history of inappropriate behavior with young girls was sentenced Friday to eight years in prison for sexually molesting four students.

Jonas Vital Silverio, 41, who served as Firebaugh High principal until 2009, sat in a Compton courtroom as victims and their mothers tearfully recounted the trauma endured at the hands of a man they initially trusted as an educator and confidante.

Silverio pleaded no contest in June to 10 counts of lewd acts on a child of 14 or 15.

“This man has stained my childhood forever … because of him, I do not trust anybody,” one victim said.

She recalled how Silverio encouraged her as a high school freshman to quit soccer and join the volleyball team, which he coached, by telling her mother it would look more impressive on college applications. He would often inappropriately touch her, she said, once pinning her down on the floor of his office to try and kiss her.