WASHINGTON (AP) — A 39-year-old Washington man has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for sexually abusing three children.

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The U.S. Attorney's Office said in a news release that Charles G. Pettis entered a guilty plea in May to charges of first-degree child sexual abuse with aggravating circumstances, attempted first-degree child sexual abuse with aggravating circumstances and second-degree child sexual abuse with aggravating circumstances.

Authorities say he will be placed on 10 years of supervised release after completing his prison term. A judge also ordered Pettis to stay away from the victims and he must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Prosecutors say he was living with his former girlfriend in southeast Washington when he sexually assaulted the girls, who were related to his former girlfriend.