A 40-year-old Wells man was sentenced in Faribault County District Court Monday to 15 years in prison for sexually abusing two children over a period of seven years.

Faribault County District Court Judge George I. Harrelson sentenced Jose Luis Perales to two 15-year prison terms that will be served concurrently.

The sentence came after Perales pleaded guilty in May to one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a victim under 13 and one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a victim between 13 and 15. Both counts involved penetration.

Under the sentence, Perales will get credit for 135 days already spent in jail after he turned himself into authorities. He was also ordered to supply a DNA sample and register as a predatory offender. He is to have no contact with the victims or the victims’ families.

Restitution is reserved for a later date.

According to court documents, Perales turned himself into authorities in February, telling an officer “he had done something horrible” and that he wanted to go to jail, according to court documents. At that time, he described himself as a “monster.”

During a later interview with an officer, Perales reportedly admitted to the sexual abuse.

Perales had initially been charged with four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.

As part of a plea agreement between Perales’ lawyer and the Faribault County Attorney’s Office, Perales pleaded guilty to two first-degree counts in exchange for having the remaining counts dismissed.

During an interview in May, Faribault County Attorney Troy Timmerman said additional charges are pending against Perales in Brown County.

The Faribault County plea agreement will have no affect on these charges or a potential civil commitment after Perales is released from prison.