A 28-year-old Tooele man was sentenced to two to 30 years in the Utah State Prison in 3rd District Court Tuesday for raping a 13-year-old girl.

Jedediah R. Crossley was arrested on Jan. 17 after police were informed he had sex with his stepdaughter's friend on two separate occasions at his home. Crossley pled guilty to amended charges of three counts of sexual abuse of a child -- all second-degree felonies -- on April 1.

Defense attorney Chelsea Koch asked the court to show leniency because the rape involved coercion not force.

Crossley told the court that he realizes the severity of the crime he committed and isn't sure what kind of forgiveness he could show someone like himself should this have happened to his stepdaughter.

"I'm the adult in this situation," Crossley said. "I was there, I knew better."

The victim's father, William Prince, told Judge Stephen Henriod he felt Crossley purposely committed the rape and deserved any punishment the court gave.

"He needs to pay for this crime," Prince said.

Tooele County Attorney Doug Hogan said Crossley's remorse came from getting caught, rather than how his crime had affected the victim. He recommended the court sentence Crossley with the "stiffest penalty this court can order."

Crossley was turned over to the Tooele County Sheriff's Office for transport to the prison. His sentence will begin immediately.

jamieb@tooeletranscript.com