A Lawrence County man has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after being convicted on four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.

Juan Carlos Barturen, 47, of Loretto, was sentenced Wednesday, September 30, by U.S. District Judge Eli J. Richardson to 240 months in prison, followed by 10 years of federal supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution to the victim.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee, the investigation began after a minor visited a cell phone store seeking help with her phone plan. Employees reportedly noticed text messages that raised concerns the girl could be the victim of sexual abuse and reported the matter to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Federal and state investigators later determined Barturen had sexually abused the victim for nearly five years, beginning when she was 10 years old. Investigators said Barturen also directed the victim to produce sexually explicit photographs and videos.

Authorities said Barturen admitted during an interview that he had recorded sexual activity involving the victim and kept the recordings to view while traveling for work.

Investigators also determined Barturen attempted to influence the victim following his arrest. According to federal prosecutors, he asked family members to contact the victim and persuade her to change her account of what happened. Prosecutors said he also attempted to have several computers hidden so they could not be seized and searched by investigators.

U.S. Attorney Braden H. Boucek said protecting children from sexual abuse remains one of the office’s highest priorities and that federal prosecutors will continue pursuing offenders who exploit minors.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Monica R. Morrison prosecuted the case.