A 59-year-old Tooele man who forced a minor to have sex with him was sentenced in 3rd District Court Tuesday to zero to five years in the Utah State Prison.

Dennis Edward Keene was arrested after his 14-year-old step-granddaughter was interviewed at the Children’s Justice Center in January 2008. She told investigators Keene had been coming to her home since July 2007 — while she was alone — and forcing her to have sex with him, according to a probable cause statement.

Keene was charged with one count of first-degree felony rape, two counts of first-degree felony forcible sodomy, and second-degree felony forcible sex abuse, but those charges were later reduced as part of a plea deal with the prosecution to help secure a conviction, according to Tooele County Deputy Attorney Gary Searle.

“We view him as a dangerous man that needs to go to prison,” Searle said, regarding the reduction.

Keene pled no contest to two counts of unlawful sex activity with a minor — a third-degree felony — in November.

A plea of no contest means that the defendant is resigned to accepting punishment for the charges, Searle said, but is not making an assertion of guilt.

“It’s like he is saying, ‘If this case were to go to trial, I believe that the state of Utah has enough evidence to convict me,’” Searle said. “Some believe that pleading no contest looks better. The outcome is the same as pleading guilty, however.”

Keene’s defense attorney, Phillip Dyer, told the court that Keene suffers from a variety of medical problems, which could become worse in a prison setting. Dyer asked that Keene be put on probation and required to take care of his medical bills out of pocket, rather than requiring tax payers to take on the burden.

“Dennis is at a low risk of reoffending,” Dyer said. “This won’t happen again.”

The victim’s mother said Keene’s medical issues shouldn’t be a factor in his punishment.

“I understand that Mr. Keene has a lot of health issues, but he was healthy enough to do the crime,” she said.

Hogan also refuted the defense’s arguments.

“I don’t think there is a person in the courtroom today whose health wouldn’t be affected by going to prison. I know mine would,” Hogan said. “Mr. Keene was in a position of trust. He is no different than a grandparent. Mr. Keene is the adult in the situation. He knew what was right and what was wrong.”

Prior to handing down Keene’s sentence, Judge Stephen Henriod said he was outraged with Keene’s behavior.

“You willingly had sex with a 14-year-old girl,” Henriod said.

Keene was then sentenced to zero to five years in the Utah State Prison on each of the counts, to be served concurrently. He was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.

Jamie Belnap: jamieb@tooeletranscript.com