A North Platte man will spend the next 10 to 15 years in prison for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.

Dakota Niles, 23, was sentenced in Lincoln County District Court on Monday.

According to prosecutors, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Officer received a report of an alleged sexual assault on a 14-year-old female in October of 2012.

The victim was interviewed and alleged that she and Niles had sexual intercourse five times between spring of 2012 and the date she filed the complaint.  The victim also stated that Niles was aware she was only 14 at the time.

Nebraska state law prohibits anyone over the age of 19 from having sexual intercourse with anyone under the age of 16.

Prior to sentencing, Deputy Lincoln County Attorney, Jennifer Wellan, asked Judge Richard Birch to sentence Niles to a lengthy sentence, citing the damage that had been done to the victim in the case and the seriousness of the crime.  She also noted that a pre-sentence investigation conducted by the District 11 Probation Office recommended a lengthy prison sentence for Niles.

Niles attorney, Marty Troshynski, asked Judge Birch to consider that a psychiatric evaluation had determined that Niles was not a pedophile, and was deemed to be a low-risk to reoffend.  He said Niles had taken responsibility for his actions and was remorseful for the acts he committed.

After hearing argument from both sides, Judge Birch stated that he agreed Niles had taken responsibility, but reminded the defendant that the crime he committed was extremely serious, and had a serious impact on the victim.

He then sentenced Niles to not less than 10 or more than 15 years in the custody of the Nebraska Department of Corrections.  He gave Niles credit for 158 days already served in jail.

Niles will also be required to register as a sex offender.