A Fairbanks man accused of sexually abusing a child for 6 years was sentenced to 45-years in prison at Fairbanks Superior Court yesterday.

During testimony, he told the judge he still loves the girl and believes that she loves him.

Sarah Dubowski was there and files this report.

Shawn Weixelman; Defendant>>: "I would like to prevent what I am about to say from going out onto the news or on TV or the newspaper, not because I'm ashamed of it..."

Douglas Blankenship; Superior Court Judge>>: "You see the media here?"

Shawn Weixelman; Defendant>>: "I do."

David Buettner; Assistant District Attorney>>: "This was not a one-time mistake, an accident or a misunderstanding. This was a systematic pattern of abuse. How sick is that? A child had to tell him it was not okay to have sex with that child!"

37-year-old Shawn Weixelman was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty to the sexual abuse of an 8-year-old child between the years of 2008 and 2014.

The girl's mother told the court she had sent her daughter to live with Weixelman because she had become ill.

The mother said she had no indication that her child was being abused until her daughter told her about thoughts of hurting herself.

During Weixelman's 16-minute testimony he told the court he believes the victim has fond memories of him.

Shawn Weixelman; Defendant>>: "We had earnest sincere conversations together where I imparted my philosophy to her, where we talked about pacifism and feminism and I told her about gender equality and she should be able to expect the same amount of respect as any man."

He told the judge he hopes to teach people in prison about feminism and how to use art to express themselves.

Shawn Weixelman; Defendant>>: "Once I'm in prison, I feel like I can have a positive influence on the culture. From a professional standpoint I would really like to return to concept art. I don't know if you have had a chance to look at my demo reel or my resume? But I am an internationally award winning concept artist."

The Assistant District Attorney told the court Weixelman continues to rationalize his behavior and he is only sorry he was caught.

David Buettner; Assistant District Attorney>>: "He claims that he is remorseful, you heard testimony today that he is remorseful, that it's genuine. This remorse is not genuine. It is regret. It is regret that his dark deeds have come to light. That his true self has finally been revealed."

The victim spoke at the sentencing, nearly in tears. She talked about how she had begged Weixelman to stop and he had manipulated her not to tell anyone. She told the court she still suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and will carry the weight of what he has done for the rest of her life.

Superior Court Judge Douglas Blankenship sentenced Weixelman to 45 years in prison.

Douglas Blankenship; Superior Court Judge>>: "The rationalization that you wanted her to be 'Super sexually empowered and knowledgeable' is over the top. Instead of providing protection and nurturing, you used that child's trust to obtain sexually and perverted emotional gratification."

Sarah Dubowski reporting