A 65-year-old Cortland man will be spending the rest of his life behind bars after pleading guilty to multiple counts of rape and gross sexual imposition Monday.

Floyd Ruiter pleaded guilty during a pretrial hearing Monday morning in front of Judge Peter Kontos.

The charges against Ruiter stem from crimes that happened more than 20 years ago.

Police Chief David Morris told 21 News the crimes took place when the female victim was nine and continued for 10 years until she was 18.

The victim is now in her 30's.

Ruiter was sentenced to life in prison and must register as a tier three sex offender.