KIMBALL -- Judge Derek Weimer sentenced a Kimball man to the maximum penalty for multiple child abuse charges. 

Forty-seven-year-old Chris Wilson was found guilty of the amended charges of Class 4 Felony criminal attempted intentional child abuse and Class 1 Misdemeanor child abuse. 

He was originally charged with multiple counts of Class 1B felony sexual assault of a child under 12 but ultimately pled no contest to lesser charges as part of a plea deal. 

Weimer sentenced Wilson to 2 years in prison for the Felony charge, and 1 year for the Misdemeanor charge to be served consecutively. 

Wilson’s sentence is a total of two years with credit for 462 days he has previously served, leaving 268 days left on his sentence. Weimer also ordered 12 months of post-release supervision. 

According to a police affidavit, a girl reported being sexually assaulted by her grandfather – identified as Wilson – which was determined to have occurred in March 2019. 

She reported the assault to her mother in September 2023, and Wilson was arrested in May 2024. 

Upon further investigation, it was found that Wilson also allegedly sexually assaulted his niece on multiple occasions over the course of three years, according to court documents. 

Attorney Krista Shaul on behalf of the state said in court that these two girls were 13 years old and three years old at the start of the assault. 

“This is not only an assault or sexual assault of two children in our community, but of his granddaughter and niece,” Shaul said. “These victims have ongoing trauma they will be going through for the rest of their lives. It will affect everything they do every day of their lives.” 

Attorney Matthew McDonald said in his client’s defense that the state had credibility issues, which led to the lesser charges. He adds that Wilson continues to claim his innocence and just wants to move on and get back to his life.