SALEM, Ohio - A Salem man is facing life in prison after a jury found him guilty of engaging in sexual contact with a child.

38-year-old Craig Cross began sexually abusing the victim in 2015 when she was just four years old and continued until she was eight years old. The victim, now age 10 took the stand during Cross's trial and described her experience.

The prosecution believes the victim's testimony was a driving force in the guilty verdict, as she went into great detail about the years of sexual abuse she's endured.

Assistant Prosecutor for Columbiana County, Tammie Riley Jones applauded the victim's courage to testify in such great detail about the experience.

"I would say the strength and courage displayed by this victim was amazing," Jones said.

Cross also took the stand during the trial denying any wrongdoing.

However, evidence came about in which Cross had made some admissions to another individual during a phone conversation he made while jailed regarding the sexual acts against the victim.

Cross is now awaiting his sentencing, though there is little to question, as a rape conviction with a child under the age of 12 is mandated life without parole.