FARMINGTON – A Weld man was sentenced Friday to serve six months at the county jail for having sexual contact with three girls during church retreats at his home on West Brook Road in 1999 and 2000.

Michael Keim, 64, pleaded guilty earlier this month to unlawful sexual contact involving three girls under the age of 12.

The sexual abuse came to light after one of the girls, now a teenager, told her parents that while she was on a mission trip to Guatemala with Calvary Baptist Church of Wilton last summer, Keim made inappropriate comments and passes at her, Assistant District Attorney James Andrews said when Keim pleaded guilty this month.

The girl reported the incidents when she returned home, and her parents contacted police, he said. She also said Keim sexually touched her during church outings at his home near Tumbledown Mountain in 1999 and 2000.

Franklin County Superior Court Justice Michaela Murphy ordered Keim to serve four years of probation when he is released from jail. He is prohibited from having contact with anyone under age 16, unless a parent or guardian agrees to supervised contact and Keim’s probation officer approves the supervisor. He also has to register as a sex offender for life and undergo sex offender counseling.

Keim said Friday he was “deeply sorry” that the events took place. He said it hurt the girls and their families, his own family and the community.

“It will never, ever, ever happen again, your honor,” he said.

Keim’s attorney, Woody Hanstein, said his client had no record, had accepted responsibility and had been remorseful and apologetic to the victims and their parents. He said Keim had been thinking of ways he could help others while in jail, including helping people get their general educational development certificates.

“I do find your remorse to be genuine,” Murphy said.

She warned him that if any violation comes up, he would be facing significant time in prison. He was sentenced to four years in prison, with all but six months suspended.

Keim began serving his time at the Franklin County Jail on Friday, a corrections officer said Friday night.