Richard Frank Jackson of Constantine was sentenced to a minimum of 10 years in prison on Friday, March 22 for sexually assaulting a nine-year-old girl.

The 38-year-old pled guilty to a third-degree criminal sexual conduct charge on February 15 in St. Joseph County’s 45th Circuit Court. A plea agreement was negotiated by Prosecutor David Marvin after he met with the victim and her family to discuss the case, and prepare her to testify at a jury trial.

According to court documents provided by Marvin, Jackson was initially facing three separate charges of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree before a plea agreement was reached.

“I asked for a prison sentence at the high-end of the guideline range and I’m happy the judge agreed,” Marvin said. “This little girl can heal and continue her childhood knowing the defendant will never harm her again.”