A former Greater Johnstown Middle School teacher was sentenced Wednesday morning to 7 1/2 years in prison for sex crimes against a child.

Jason Loboi will also need to register as a Megan's Law sex offender for life and must pay restitution to the victim's family for counseling services.

In addition, a judge granted the prosecution's request that when Loboi is released from prison, he will not be permitted in Cambria County for at least 15 years immediately after his release.

Loboi was a sixth-grade teacher at the Greater Johnstown Middle School for 10 years when a child came forward, claiming Loboi committed a number of sexual offenses at a home in Geistown.

In May, in exchange for a lesser prison sentence, Loboi pleaded guilty to a first-degree felony charge of involuntary sexual intercourse and admitted to forcing himself on a child. The victim was under 12 years old when the accusations surfaced in 2011.

Defense attorney Robert Gleason said he was very pleased with the outcome and the plea deal, but Gleason also acknowledged that the case was a tragedy.

"It's especially important that the victim does not have to testify and go through the harrowing testimonial burden that our law requires," Gleason said.

The judge did not order Loboi to register as a violent sex predator.