A former guard at a federal detention center in New York has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for sexually abusing female inmates.

Federal prosecutors say Eugenio Perez was sentenced Wednesday after being convicted last year of sexual abuse charges and violating the civil rights of inmates. He must also register as a sex offender.

The five victims were inmates at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn where Perez worked as a lieutenant. Prosecutors say Perez used physical force and intimidation to compel the victims to engage in various sexual acts. The defense suggested the women were lying to frame him.

Two other prison guards were arrested at the same time as Perez. One was convicted of raping a female inmate and the other pleaded guilty to sexual abuse.