MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan — A court-martial panel sentenced an Air Force staff sergeant to eight years in prison Monday after finding him guilty of molesting a 4-year-old girl.

The staff sergeant, who is not being identified by Stars and Stripes in order to protect the identity of the victim, also was reduced to E-1, was ordered to forfeit all pay and allowances and was given a dishonorable discharge.

According to court testimony, the staff sergeant asked to spend time with his friends’ daughter before his 2008 deployment from Misawa. Prosecutors argued that during roughly an hour alone in his off-base home late last year, he performed oral sex on the girl and forced her to do the same in return.

"This little girl blames herself," prosecutors stated in their closing, seeking a 10-year sentence.

The staff sergeant faced a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.