EL PASO, Texas -- It took jury about three hours to deliberate the three counts against Luis Nava III.

Nava cringed as he heard the first sentence.

On Wednesday, he was found guilty of one count of sexual assault of a child, one count of sexual performance by a child and one count of possession of child pornography.

The jury handed down the sentence Thursday afternoon and gave Nava seven years for sexual assault of a child, two years for sexual performance by a child and suspended the possession of child porn.

"I believe that they felt that there is a higher standard when it comes to someone who is a public servant or a police officer in this case," said prosecutor Penny Hamilton.

Nava was accused of having a relationship with a 16-year-old girl in 2005. Nava, who is married, had been in with the El Paso Police Department for six years.

"It comes in all shapes and sizes. I think that my argument to the jury that he's held to a higher standard is a valid argument, because absolutely he knew better," said Hamilton.

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether Nava will serve his sentence consecutively or at the same time.

Hamilton explained if the sentence runs consecutively, Nava will serve nine years and be eligible for parole after five.

Nava was placed on paid administrative leave on Aug. 5, 2005, and he was terminated two weeks later.

As a result of the police department's investigation on Nava, they also arrested a second officer on a charge of sexual assault of a child.

Philip Frank Amato's trial is scheduled to begin in August.