MACON COUNTY — A 66-year-old Centralia man was sentenced Wednesday in Macon County court to sexually abusing a young girl under the age of 13.

Joseph R. Beckmann, of Chipwood Lane, admitted to the details in the case charging him with Class 2 felony aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a victim under the age of 13.

He was sentenced to 48-months sex offender probation that will be transferred to Marion County court for completion.

Per the plea agreement, Beckmann is to have no contact with his victim, and is prohibited from going to her homes or her school.

The Macon County case against Beckmann was initially opened late in 2016 and he was arrested in August 2017.

In June of 2017, an order of protection was taken out against Beckmann in Marion County Court.

He must register for the rest of his life as a sex offender and must submit to DNA testing by the state.

Beckmann has remained free on bond since shortly after his 2017 arrest.

The victim’s father read an impact statement to the court Wednesday describing the stress, anxiety, confusion and depression Beckmann’s actions caused the young girl.

He shared his worry for how Backmann’s actions will shape his daughter’s future and the adolescent years that are already so tough.