Man sentenced for sexually abusing a teen girl in Yuma

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - A Yuma man has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for sexually abusing a teenage girl.

26-year-old Ricardo Zavala-Esparza will serve time for one count of sexual conduct with a minor.

Police say he sexually abuse a 13-year-old girl over the summer of last year.

Zavala-Esparza was also sentenced to 10 years of probation for attempted molestation of a child following the conclusion of his prison sentence.

The victim's family said Zavala-Esparza deserved the maximum sentence of 24 years.

"Over the past several months, our entire family has been impacted in every way imaginable, including financials, but most importantly we have all been mentally and emotionally traumatized," the victim's family expressed.

Prior to sentencing, Zavala-Esparza accepted a plea deal.

He received over 200 days of credit served.