A Nampa man could spend the rest of his life in prison after he was convicted of sexually abusing a 9-year-old girl in what the prosecution called a “path of destruction.”

Third District Judge Randall Grove sentenced 37-year-old Nicholas Vallard to at least 25 years in prison Thursday, according to a news release from the Canyon County Prosecutor’s Office. Vallard will become eligible for parole in 2047, but he could spend the rest of his life in prison depending on what the parole board decides.

“You seem unable or unwilling to control these desires,” Grove said in court. “So I’m going to protect the community from you.”

Vallard was convicted of two counts of lewd conduct with a minor and one count of sexual abuse of a minor after a three-day trial in July 2023, according to court records. He’s been in custody at the Canyon County Jail since his arrest, so he’ll be given credit for 736 days served.

Grove also issued a no-contact order preventing Vallard from contacting any minor children for the next 50 years, the release said. He’ll have to pay $263 to the Idaho Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund and a $5,000 civil penalty that will go to the victim, according to the release.

Authorities said Vallard trapped the 9-year-old girl in a tent, masturbated in front of her, forced her to perform oral sex on him and touched her genitals.

He previously pleaded guilty to two counts of felony injury to children in 2011, the release said.

Grove questioned during sentencing whether Vallard could be rehabilitated in “light of the staggering contempt” Vallard exhibited toward the court, the release said. Grove said Vallard presented a “significant threat to this community.”