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A Utah man will spend time in prison after he pleaded guilty to raping a 14-year-old in Riverdale and impregnating her.
Shaun Fornoff, 36, was sentenced Friday to a term of five years to life in prison after he pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree felony rape back in October. In return for the plea, prosecutors dropped one count of forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony.
Charging documents indicate the assault took place in August 2015, as the teen became pregnant and gave birth to a child in May 2016.
On Friday, the victim, now an adult, told the court that her pregnancy caused her to miss many of the things teenagers should normally be doing. Instead, she was at home, scared and raising an infant.
"A child shouldn't be raising a child," she told the court. She added that she wanted justice to be served in her case.
C. Danny Frazier, Jr., Fornoff's attorney, urged the court to consider the totality of the case, in addition to a psychosexual evaluation prepared ahead of sentencing in Fornoff's case. Frazier urged the court to suspend a potential prison sentence in lieu of probation, saying treatment and full-time employment would allow Fornoff to contribute to society.
Fornoff also addressed the court, apologizing to the family who had suffered due to his actions. In a trembling voice, Fornoff said he wants to help in anyway that he can, and he wants to do the right thing.
Judge Reuben Renstrom ultimately said that Fornoff will receive treatment, though it would take place in a state prison. Renstrom handed down the five-years-to life-prison sentence and gave Fornoff credit for the 102 days he's previously served in prison.
Fornoff will be sent to the Utah Department of Corrections to serve his prison sentence.
