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, in fall 2003, and continued until 2005.

His 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 him under the more serious Level 2, or medium-risk category.

“The fact is, he caused this victim debilitating mental illness,” and had not fully taken responsibility for his actions, Judge Richards said.

Woods was sentenced in October to 180 days in the jail and 10 years’ probation. He also was ordered to pay $1,425 in fees and surcharges, including $1,000 for a supplemental sexual offender victims fee.

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