BISBEE — A man who sexually molested and assaulted two relatives, one of whom gave birth to his son, was sentenced to 17 years in prison on Monday in Cochise County Superior Court.

Roque Sanchez Mora, 55, pleaded guilty in an agreement to molesting a girl under the age of 15 between Jan. 1, 1992, and Jan. 1, 1994, and committing sexual assault by engaging in sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact with another female without her consent between Jan. 1, 1999, and Jan. 1, 2002.

Judge Wallace Hoggatt sentenced him to 10 years for the molesting count and seven years for the sexual assault count. The 17-year term was stipulated in the plea agreement. Hoggatt said if it were up to him, he would impose a longer prison term.

Hoggatt also fined him $10,000, plus $6,700 in applicable surcharges. He said he does not know if Mora is capable of paying any money, but he was ordering the fine to underscore the severity of the crime.

In March of 2006, the two victims filed a sexual assault complaint against Mora with Sierra Vista Police, according to the pre-sentence report. DNA testing later indicated Mora was the biological father of the child of one of the victims.

Mora fled to Mexico to avoid prosecution. Authorities obtained the necessary paperwork and arrested him in April in Agua Prieta, Sonora. He was extradited to Arizona in August.

During Monday’s hearing, the victims told the court that the crimes have affected them greatly. They said they want justice to be served.

Marc Offenhartz, a deputy county attorney, asked the judge to impose the stipulated term of 17 years.

Clarence Jenkins, the defense attorney who represented Mora, pointed out if sentenced to 17 years, his client will be 73 when he is released and there is a low rate of recidivism at that age.

Mora declined to make a statement during the hearing. He also did not make any comments regarding the offense for the pre-sentence report. However, he stated his future plans are to be a better person.