NEW ULM — A New Ulm man who is registered as a Level 3 sex offender is being sent back to prison for at least 17 years after being convicted of a third sexual assault.

Travis John Stancer, 45, of New Ulm, was sentenced Monday by Brown County District Judge Robert Docherty. Docherty had found Stancer guilty of criminal sexual conduct last February in a court trial.

A girl, now a teenager, had accused Stancer of raping her several times when she was between 5 and 7 years old in New Ulm. Stancer chose to be tried by a judge instead of a jury, and Docherty delivered the verdict. A sentencing hearing was held in March, and Docherty imposed sentence on Monday, a 30-year term in prison. Prisoners are typically released after serving two-thirds of their sentence. Stancer was also given credit for three years already served in prison, so his possible release date is April 2038.

Stancer was convicted in 2019 for criminal sexual conduct and incest while living in Hanska. He served nearly two years. He was also convicted in Renville County of criminal sexual conduct involving a teenage child, for which he was placed on probation.

Stancer lived briefly in New Ulm while awaiting trial on the latest charges. He is classified as a Level 3 sex offender.