A Lancaster County judge berated a Leola man Thursday while sentencing him to state prison for up to 20 years for repeated sexual assaults against a girl with mental-health issues.

"No doubt, you thought that she was less likely to tell anyone," Judge Dennis E. Reinaker told Joseph Hock, while sentencing him above the minimum state guidelines. "But you were wrong."

A jury convicted Hock in March of two felony sex crimes and three misdemeanors in relation to the abuse between June 2006 and October 2006.

The girl, diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome and other conditions, was 13 when first assaulted, investigators said. Hock was an acquaintance of her family.

At Thursday's sentencing, Assistant District Attorney Karen Mansfield presented the judge a note written by the girl. In the letter, she says Hock "ruined" her life.

Hock, 36, faced a mandatory five-year prison sentence, but Reinaker felt that wasn't enough time. So, he ordered a 10-to-20 year state prison term.

"You've made her circumstance worse," the judge told Hock. "Consequently, I believe it appropriate that you receive substantially more than the minimum sentence required in this case."

According to investigators and trial testimony, Hock made the girl perform sex acts on him and he also assaulted her in other ways.

East Earl Township police Officer Michael Vance charged Hock in June 2009 with involuntary deviant sexual intercourse of a person under age 16 (two counts) and other offenses.

"No doubt, you thought that she was less likely to tell anyone and, even if she did, that they would be less likely to believe her," Reinaker said. "But you were wrong on both counts.

Hock had no response at sentencing.

The girl wasn't present, but her mother watched from the courtroom gallery.

"She is a very brave young lady who already had more to deal with than most," Reinaker said of the victim.

bhambright@lnpnews.com