CANTON — An Ogdensburg man who had repeated sexual contact with a young girl over several years was classified as a level 2 sexually violent offender during a hearing Tuesday afternoon in St. Lawrence County Court.

Edward J. Woods Jr., 42, was convicted in October of second-degree attempted course of sexual conduct against a child, a Class E felony. The abuse began when the child was 7.

Woods’ rating actually fell under Level 1, or low risk, according to the risk assessment evaluation used by the state’s Sex Offender Registry Act. Judge Jerome J. Richards agreed to a prosecution request to classify Woods under the more serious Level 2, or medium risk category.

“The fact is, he caused this victim debilitating mental illness,” according to the judge, adding that Woods had not fully taken responsibility for his actions.

Woods was sentenced in October to 180 days in the county jail and 10 years’ probation.

He also was ordered to pay $1,425 in fees and surcharges, including $1,000 for a supplemental sexual offenders victims fee.

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