MAYS LANDING –– Atlantic County Prosecutor Theodore F. L. Housel announced Sept. 21 that a 51-year-old Ocean City man was sentenced to 18 years in state prison for sexually assaulting a young boy.

Thomas Harris was convicted by a Superior Court June 13 on charges of sexual assault, criminal sexual contact and multiple counts of endangering the welfare of a child, Assistant Prosecutor Lynn Heyer said.

Harris had been lodged in Atlantic County jail without bail since his conviction.

According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the sex crimes occurred over a period of time beginning in 2002 when the victim was 12-years old, and continued until October of 2004.

The victim, a boy who met Harris at church, referred to the man as his “step-father” and “mentor.”

In a tape-recorded statement to the police which was played for the jury, Harris admitted he fondled and stroked the boy’s genitals. On the witness stand, the victim said Harris had penetrated him both anally and orally, Heyer said.

At sentencing, Judge Michael Donio said, “The evidence showed that this defendant (Harris) is a “manipulative, cunning, deceptive, con-man extraordinaire who is a classic child predator, who met the victim and his family through going to church services and endeared himself to the victim’s family in order to become an adopted part of the victim’s family making himself a ‘stepfather’ to the minor victim.”

Donio sentenced Harris to 18 years in prison with a requirement that he must serve at least 12 years before he is eligible for parole. In addition, Harris is required to register pursuant to Megan’s Law and will be under parole supervision for life.