A Troy man accused of sexually abusing a boy earned a partially suspended 45-year sentence in Lincoln County District Court on June 21.

Nathan Michael Miller, 42, will serve 20 years of the sentence behind bars and must undergo sex offender treatment before becoming eligible for parole. District Judge Matthew Cuffe called it an “appropriate and just punishment” as he handed down the sentence.

Miller had pleaded guilty to a single felony count of sexual assault, victim younger than 16, in May as part of a deal with prosecutors. In return, they dropped a sexual abuse of children charge.

Miller came to the attention of investigators after an Idaho-based therapist alerted local authorities. According to court documents, a 12-year-old client of the therapist had recounted performing sexual acts in front of Miller.

Authorities in Lincoln County confirmed two incidents of sexual abuse during an interview with the child. According to court documents, in one case, the boy woke up to Miller performing a sexual act on him. In the other, Miller showed the boy pornography before performing sexual acts on himself and the minor.

According to court documents, local authorities had Miller on their radar after receiving cyber tips regarding Miller’s downloading of child pornography.

During the investigation, detectives with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office learned from the boy’s grandmother that Miller had been friendly with her deceased son. They had occasionally gotten together since her son’s death, she said.

In a written statement read aloud to the court during the sentencing last week, the woman castigated Miller for taking advantage of the family.

“Do you even know how to care about anyone but yourself,” the woman wrote. “You were only grooming me so you could molest my grandson.”

Miller, appearing via videoconferencing software from a detention facility in Idaho where he faces additional charges, apologized while acknowledging the words would do little for the victim or his family.

“I am … very sorry for what I did and the damage I caused,” Miller said. “I knew better.”

Miller said he regretted his poor decisions. He had valued his relationship with the boy and his grandmother, he told the court.

“I could have been a better friend and made better choices,” he said.

Miller also will receive credit for time served as part of his sentence.