Paul E. Wiard in his 2012 mug shot

An 82-year-old Claypool man has been ordered to register as a sex offender for molesting his 9-year-old granddaughter, but he will spend no time incarcerated.

Paul Eugene Wiard, 82, was arrested in June of 2012 for the molestation, which took place from 2001 to 2007. Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Chad Hill told StaceyPageOnline.com at the time of Wiard’s arrest that the incident was only recently brought to the attention of authorities. The female victim is now an adult.

According to court documents the victim said she was approximately 9 years old when her grandfather began molesting her in 2001. She said the incidents would happen three to four times a week until about 2007.

Wiard is also accused of having photos of a naked girl and showing those to the victim.

When interviewed by KCSD Det. J.D. Ayres in 2012, Wiard admitted to having the photos but denied molesting his granddaughter. He was charged with child molesting, a class C felony, and sexual misconduct with a minor, also a class C felony. In a plea bargain, Wiard admitted guilt to count one of child molesting and the sexual misconduct charge was dropped.

In court last week, Wiard was sentenced to 4 years in prison, but the entire term was suspended to be served on probation. He was also ordered to pay court fines and probation administration fees totaling $379 and attend sex offender counseling. Wiard has a no contact order with the victim and will be registered as a sex offender for the rest of his life.