A man who allegedly sexually abused an underage girl appeared Monday in Mower County District Court.

Ruben Montoya Carbajal, 39, of Austin was charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a child under 13, two counts first-degree sexual conduct with a child under 16-multiple acts, and three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct-contact with a child under 16-multiple acts. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

According to the court complaint, the girl and her mother met with an Austin police officer on Sept. 1 and reported that Carbajal had sexually abused the girl, now 15. She said the abuse started when she was 12.

Carbajal told the girl “this is what people do,” according to the complaint.

The complaint states that police spoke to Carbajal on Sept. 22. He denied sexually abusing the girl and said he had no idea why she would accuse him of doing so. He said that other people told him the girl wanted his attention.

In Minnesota, felony first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a child carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $40,000 fine. Second-degree criminal sexual conduct carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison and a $35,000 fine.

Carbajal’s pre-trial is scheduled for Feb. 9.