A 79-year-old Tamaqua man will spend two to four years in state prison for molesting three children.

President Judge William E. Baldwin also found Thomas Rockwell a sexually violent predator, meaning he will have to register with authorities for the rest of his life under Megan's Law.The children were 3, 8 and one was assaulted from the ages of 8 to 10."I hope everyone can see that justice has been served," the mother of one of the children said outside the courtroom."I'm happy knowing that at least this time he's not getting away with it," she said.She said she hoped the state sentence would send a message to others who commit sexual crimes against children.Baldwin ordered Rockwell to be at the county sheriff's office at 9 a.m. Monday to be taken to prison.Rockwell remains free on $100,000 percentage bail.Rockwell, who turns 80 in April, abruptly sat back in his chair as Baldwin pronounced the sentence, but did not otherwise visibly react.Defense attorney Nicholas A. Quinn had asked the judge for three to six months' county time in light of his client's age.Rockwell on Sept. 28 pleaded guilty in two cases, to two counts each of indecent assault of a person less than 13 years of age, and indecent assault without the consent of the other.An additional two counts each of indecent exposure, indecent assault of a person less 16 years of age and corruption of minors were dropped.The charges were filed as a result of offenses committed on Aug. 1, 2013, and April 1, 2015, with each date handled as a separate case.Senior Deputy District Attorney Jennifer N. Foose called to the stand Pottsville psychologist Joseph B. Sheris, who testified he used a set of 17 criteria to determine whether Rockwell should be classified as a sexually violent predator.Rockwell met those markers, he said.Sheris said pedophilia was a lifetime condition that could "wax and wane."Under questioning by Quinn, Sheris said that Rockwell's age could also be a factor, lessening his inhibitions.According to court documents and testimony, Rockwell preyed on children in the apartments he rented.He would visit the apartments under the pretense of performing repairs or just to talk, and managed to get the children by themselves.Lehman submitted letters from the victims and their families. Rockwell, who read the statements, called them "sad."He said he has "been careful about my contact with children" and that his family supervises him.Baldwin had stern words for Rockwell."You did harm children," he said."Yes, I did," Rockwell responded."That harm will last a long time," Baldwin told him.