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WILKES-BARRE &#8212; Sex crimes targeting four young girls could keep a Larksville man behind bars for up to a decade.Francis Parsons, 45, of East Fourth Street, was sentenced Tuesday in Luzerne County Court to five to 10 years in state prison followed by two years probation, according to court papers.Judge Joseph F. Sklarosky Jr. credited the man for 763 days served but ruled the man a &#8220;sexually violent predator,&#8221; court documents indicate.A tier three sexual offender, Parsons must register with state police for the rest of his life. He is to be allowed no access to the internet and is not to possess any pornographic material, court papers say.Charges arose in 2013 when four girls told police separately that Parsons exposed himself or molested them during sleep-overs at his house. Police say the incidents occurred over a period of several months.Parsons admitted in February 2014 to one count each of aggravated indecent assault of a child, indecent assault of a person less than 13 years old, indecent exposure and corruption of minors. He withdrew the plea in May 2014, and admitted again to the charges less than one year later.According to a criminal complaint, an 11-year-old told police she was awakened when Parsons exposed himself to her. Police say Parsons returned to her bedroom several times that night despite the girl&#8217;s pleas to be left alone.A 12-year-old girl told police she felt Parsons lying next to her, touching her inappropriately as she slept on a bedroom floor. The complaint says the same girl on another occasion said she woke up as Parsons touched her. He then jumped up and ran out of the room.Another 12-year-old girl said Parsons exposed himself to her while she was watching a movie, telling the girl to be quiet because his daughter was in the same room, the complaint says.Police say a third 12-year-old told said she was awakened by Parsons lying next to her and rubbing her thigh, and she rolled over to get away from him.<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta>By James O&#8217;Malleyjomalley@www.timesleader.com</bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta>Reach James O&#8217;Malley at 570-991-6390 or on Twitter @TL_omalley.</shirttailMeta></div>

Child sex assault charges earn Larksville man 5 to 10 years in state prison