A Manning man was sentenced to more than seven years in prison Monday and will have to register as a sex offender

and sexually assaulting two horses.

In May,

Judge Jim Fun convicted Antonio Hall-Rivas, 47, on five counts of second-degree burglary and eight counts of sexual assault of an animal.

Fun ordered a pre-sentencing investigation to provide more information on Hall-Rivas. The investigation, which included two psychological evaluations, yielded no signs of mental or emotional disturbance, Fun said Monday at Hall-Rivas' sentencing hearing. It did show that he is intelligent and capable.

During the last year, Hall-Rivas came to the property west of Banks, brushed the horses, fed them candy and made them comfortable with him. After he'd gained their trust, authorities said, Hall-Rivas began sexually touching the horses.

Candy wrappers, cigarette butts and footprints littered the barn and property, alerting the homeowners to his presence. The horses' owner twice spotted a man in the barn before he ran off.

began investigating. Detectives installed cameras, which captured a man entering the barn on multiple days over the course of seven months, touching and engaging in sex acts with the horses.

DNA evidence, picked up on a hat found in the barn, identified Hall-Rivas as a suspect. Upon questioning, Hall-Rivas admitted to detectives that he'd been coming to the barn for sex with the horses.

The horses' owner read a statement in court Monday and talked about the panic she felt when she found clues left from the man's visits.

She said she felt for months that she always being watched. She was fearful staying at the house or walking around the property alone.

"To feel unsafe on your own property is indescribable," she said.

The last time she caught sight of Hall-Rivas on her property, she held eye contact with him "for what felt like forever" until her son appeared at her side and Hall-Rivas pulled up his pants and ran off.

She continues to feel afraid, she said, and no longer considers the barn her sanctuary.

Hall-Rivas turned around to face the woman during her statement. When it was his turn to speak, Hall-Rivas briefly told the court he was sorry and never intended to harm the owner.

Hall-Rivas and his attorney both said he had reached the lowest point of his life when these crimes occurred. A longtime meth user, Hall-Rivas said he needed drug treatment.

The defendant's criminal history dating 32 years influenced the sentencing decision, Judge Fun told Hall-Rivas.

Defense attorney

had asked the judge to impose jail time and probation rather than a prison sentence.

Hall-Rivas was ill-equipped to succeed on probation, Fun said, because of poverty and a lack of supportive relationships.

"In many ways," he said, "a prison sentence will be much more humane."

Fun sentenced Hall-Rivas to seven years, eight months in prison. The defendant was also ordered to register as a sex offender, complete sex offender evaluation and treatment and have no contact with domestic or equine animals.

The pre-sentencing investigation, Fun said, showed that life had been unkind to Hall-Rivas, and in turn, Hall-Rivas had been unkind to himself and others. To function in society, he said, Hall-Rivas needs to start over after a period of incarceration.

"I'm sincere when I say you have a long ways to go and many, many issues to resolve," Fun said. "I hope you return to our community a better person."

– Emily E. Smith