A North Platte man will spend the next four to five years in prison for sexually assaulting a young boy.

Last August, North Platte police opened a sexual assault investigation after the parents of a young boy reported that their son had been assaulted by 28-year-old Scott Shoemaker.

The boy, who was under the age of 16, alleged that Shoemaker had sexually penetrated him several weeks earlier.

In September, District Court Judge Donald Rowlands ordered that Shoemaker undergo a psychological evaluation, due to a potential not guilty by reason of insanity plea.

The evaluation determined that Shoemaker was competent to stand trial.

After reaching a plea deal with prosecutors, Shoemaker pleaded no contest to sexual assault of a child.

On Monday, Shoemaker appeared in Lincoln County District Court for sentencing.

Prior to sentencing, Shoemaker’s attorney, Kent Florom, argued that Shoemaker had saved the state the time and expense of a trial, and had prevented the victim from having to testify by entering a plea in the case.

He also noted that, prior to this, Shoemaker’s criminal record had been minimal.

Judge Rowlands agreed that Shoemaker’s record was minimal, and stated that, despite being found competent to stand trial, Shoemaker did suffer from mental illness.

He then sentenced Shoemaker to not less that four years, and not more than five years in the custody of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services.

Shoemaker was given credit for 200 days already served in jail, and will be required to register as a sex offender.