(AP) — A Nebraska man has been convicted of sexually abusing an 8-year-old relative in Maine nearly a quarter century ago.

Clarence Cote of Nemaha, Neb., was found guilty Friday of two sexual assault counts.

He testified Thursday in Penobscot County court he did not abuse the now 31-year-old woman when he lived in Lincoln, Maine in 1990. He said the pair had a good relationship and even kept in touch when he moved out of state.

Cote’s lawyer says he will appeal. He had questioned why the state took so long to prosecute when it knew of the allegations in 1994. He said the state had lost key evidence.

Prosecutors say they had trouble finding Cote after he moved to Nebraska.