Little Falls Man Sentenced for Sexually Abusing Children

LITTLE FALLS -- A Little Falls man has been sentenced for sexually abusing a victim under the age of 16.

Fifty-five-year-old Vernon Hintz has been sentenced to 7 1/2 years in prison after pleading guilty to second degree criminal sexual conduct.

The Morrison County Attorney's Office says investigators interviewed several children in December 2015 asking about whether Hintz abused them. Hintz then told authorities he had sexual contact with four children under the age of 16.

The Attorney's Office says all four of the kids have a "significant relationship" with Hintz as defined by law.

Hintz could be sentenced to an additional 10-year prison term if he violates the terms of his release after serving the initial prison term.