SALISBURY — An East Spencer man was sentenced this week to nearly 18 years in prison for taking indecent liberties with a child.

Diamonte Denolan Crawford, also known as Diamante Crawford, 23, was convicted in Rowan County Criminal Superior Court of felony attempted statutory sex offense with a child and felony indecent liberties with a child.

Judge Anna Mills Wagoner sentenced Crawford to a minimum of 124 months to a maximum of 209 months in prison. Crawford was ordered to register as a sex offender for 30 years and have no contact with the victim.

In 2018, the victim, who was 13 at the time, reported to school personnel that a family member, later identified as Crawford, was at another family member’s home when a sexual incident occurred.

The child described what happened to her during a forensic interview at Terrie Hess House Children’s Advocacy Center. Authorities say what the girl said was consistent with the information that was initially reported.

District Attorney Brandy Cook said she appreciates the joint effort by Assistant District Attorney Tim Gould, the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, Rowan County Department of Social services, and Terrie Hess House Children’s Advocacy Center to hold Crawford accountable for his criminal conduct.