Seth Smith. (Courtesy Portage Co. Jail)

By Patrick Lynn

A Plover man has been sentenced to probation after being convicted of molesting his 9 year-old relative.

Seth Smith, 34, was convicted of three counts of fourth degree sexual assault following a series of sexual encounters with the girl in his home. The girl told authorities the molestation began when she was five or six years old but wasn’t able to speak about the details.

Smith had been facing twin felony counts of first degree sexual assault of a child but the lesser charges came after Smith agreed to take a plea deal. The fourth degree counts hold a maximum of nine months in jail each, but Smith was sentenced to two years on probation by Judge John Finn.