CHIPPEWA FALLS – Chippewa County Judge Roderick Cameron described Derek S. Headrick as "one of the worst sex offenders I've encountered" before sentencing the 49-year-old Chippewa Falls man to 35 years in prison Thursday.

"I don't believe Mr. Headrick has any real prospects of being rehabilitated," Cameron said. "[He has] one of the longest criminal histories I've seen."

Along with the prison sentence, Cameron ordered Headrick, a convicted sex offender, to serve 15 years of extended supervision upon release, with requirements that he cannot live near children and cannot work in a home without the written consent of a homeowner.

In May, a Chippewa County jury convicted Headrick of three counts of first-degree sexual assault of a child for sexually touching two girls, ages 6 and 9, at his home in December 2012.

Headrick spoke briefly before his sentencing, maintaining his innocence and telling Cameron he plans to appeal the verdict.

"I'm sorry for the way things have gone. I don't know what else to say," Headrick said.

Chippewa County assistant district attorney Wade Newell sought a 45-year prison sentence, pointing to Headrick's two prior sex offenses and other charges that didn't result in convictions.

"[Headrick] warrants going beyond what has been done before because of the number of people he has hurt over the years," Newell said. "He has shown he won't change his ways."

Headrick's attorney, Peter Morin, was critical of the longer sentence recommendation. "I don't think it's justified," Morin said.

Family members of the girls spoke to the court, asking for a lengthy prison sentence.

"He doesn't begin to understand or imagine the profound damage it does to children," the mother of one of the girls said.