A former ice cream truck vendor who sexually assaulted a 4-year-old girl almost two years ago was sentenced Friday to 107 years in prison.

Karl Mayer, 29, of Bellmead, must serve a minimum of 53 years in prison before he can be considered for parole after his conviction Thursday on two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and one count of indecency with a child by contact.

Jurors deliberated a total of four hours Thursday evening and Friday morning before determining punishment for Mayer at 50 years on each of the two aggravated counts and seven years on the indecency count.

Karl Mayer, 29, of Bellmead, must serve a minimum of 53 years in prison.

Judge Ralph Strother of Waco’s 19th State District Court stacked the sentences, ordering Mayer to serve the three terms consecutively.

The jury of eight women and four men deliberated 20 minutes Thursday before convicting Mayer of abusing the girl, a relative, at his Bellmead mobile home between November 2008 and January 2009.

Mayer was arrested by Bellmead police on the sexual assault charge in June 2009 while driving an ice cream truck through the streets of the city.

He has charges pending that allege he also sexually assaulted a 5-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl.

The girl’s grandmother said she is satisfied with the sentence given Mayer.

“He got what he deserves. This all has been difficult on everyone,” she said. “It hurt me so bad to hear my little girl have to tell that story.”

Mayer’s attorney, Jack Hurley, declined comment.

Prosecutor Lytza Rojas, who asked the jury to give Mayer maximum life sentences, had special praise for Dr. Ann Sims, medical director at the Advocacy Center for Crime Victims and Children, who examined the child and testified at the trial.

“These cases are extremely important. We are grateful to the team of professionals who took action on behalf of a child,” Rojas said.

“We hope the community realizes how fortunate they are to have Dr. Ann Sims as a resource for children,” she said. “We commend the jury for having the courage to believe a child and for stopping this perpetrator.”

twitherspoon@wacotrib.com

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