A Long Valley NJ man was sentenced to prison after he pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a minor.

The suspect was 27 years of age when he first met the victim in 2014. The suspect and underage victim initially encountered each other at a Pennsylvania church, where the suspect reportedly served as a youth group leader.

According to authorities, the suspect was a father figure to the female victim. Over time, he allegedly took advantage of his position by getting the juvenile victim to have sex with him.

The victim was just 15 years old when the suspect sexually assaulted her. According to Morris County NJ prosecutors, the victim was a virgin.

Now the suspect is headed to prison after pleading guilty to one count of sexual assault. The suspect reached a plea agreement with prosecutors and pleading guilty to the sex crime in exchange for a recommendation that he be sentenced to seven years in New Jersey State Prison.

When the suspect finishes his term of incarceration, he will also have to register as a sex offender in accordance with Megan’s Law.

For additional information about this case, see the NJ.com article, “Church Youth Group Leader Gets 7 Years for Assaulting Young Teen.”