COEUR d'ALENE - A Post Falls man was sentenced Thursday to 25 years in prison for two counts of lewd conduct with a minor under the age of 16, according to the Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

Daniel Eugene Nichols, 51, was sentenced by District Judge Lansing Haynes, who ordered the first 15 years of the sentence fixed and the remaining 10 years indeterminate, with credit for time served.

Considering Nichols' prior convictions and current offense conduct, Haynes determined a long sentence was appropriate, the attorney's office said.

On March 7-8, Nichols was tried and found guilty of lewd conduct charges relating to inappropriate touching with an 11-year-old girl, the attorney's office said.

Nichols had become friends with the victim and her family, the attorney's office said. He had lured the girl into his garage, where the conduct occurred.

Nichols was convicted in Washington in 1990 for child molestation; in 1992 for felony malicious mischief; in 1994 for communicating with a minor for immoral purposes; in 2004 and 2008 for domestic violence; and in 2006 for DUI.

"The sentence was appropriate, given the unconscionable nature of the offenses and the continuing predatory conduct by the defendant," said prosecuting attorney Barry McHugh. "The fixed term guarantees that Mr. Nichols will not be able to victimize other children for an extended period of years."