A Longview man was sentenced to two 20-year prison sentences for Indecency with a Child and Sexual Assault, following a sentencing hearing in 115th District Court in Gilmer.

Judge Lauren Parish sentenced Jose Mendoza Thursday.

Mendoza, 44, assaulted two children several times until July 5, 2006, said Upshur County Assistant District Attorney Robert Cole Jr., who prosecuted the case. The children were between 8 and 17 years old, he said.

“Judge Parish took notice of the facts of the crime and heard evidence from Irma Mendoza, the defendant’s spouse, who requested Mendoza be placed on probation,” said Cole.

In closing statements, Cole requested the maximum sentence of 20 years in order to protect society from having further victims of Mendoza.

Defense counsel, Jose Sanchez and Lance Larison, requested that Mendoza be placed on deferred adjudication probation so that he might still be able to provide for his family.

“We are pleased that Judge Parish ruled in favor of a long prison sentence,” Cole said. “Society must be protected from those that prey upon our children for their own perverse pleasure.”

Mendoza will not be eligible for parole until 2019.