SANTA ANA (AP) — An Orange County man has been given a possible life sentence for sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl on Christmas Eve.

The district attorney’s office says 38-year-old Jorge Miguel Gallegos of Santa Ana was sentenced Friday to 40 years and eight months to life.

Prosecutors say Gallegos sexually assaulted a relative in the kitchen of his home after other family members had gone to sleep on Christmas Eve night in 2009. Authorities say his wife walked into the kitchen, saw the attack and called police.

Investigators determined that he had previously assaulted the girl.

He was convicted last month of committing various sexual acts with the girl.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)