An Iowa pediatric surgeon was sentenced last week to 50 years in prison for sexually abusing children.

Lynn Lindaman, 73, was convicted in February for sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl. according to the Polk County Attorney’s Office. The jury deliberated for about an hour before delivering the guilty verdict.

Earlier in February, Lindaman admitted that he had been convicted of lascivious acts with a child in another county in 1976 and received a deferred judgement. That conviction resulted in an enhanced penalty, doubling the standard 25 year sentence for second degree sexual assault of a child.

He must serve 42 1/2 years before he can be considered for parole.

Lindaman’s ex-wife testified at his trial that he told her he was trying to help the 8-year-old child “explore her sexuality in a safe place,” Law&Crime reported.

In the 1976 case, Lindaman was convicted of raping a 14-year-old girl at a gymnastics camp where he was a camp counselor, according to a federal lawsuit filed by the victim last year. Despite the conviction, he became a pediatric orthopedic surgeon working in the Des Moines area for decades.

Lindaman’s attorney said he planned to appeal.

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[Featured image: Lynn Lindaman/police handout]