LOGAN — A 19-year-old Cove man has been sentenced to jail for having sexual activity with an underage girl. Erick Durrant was ordered to serve 120-days behind bars, complete 60-hours of community service and write a letter of apology to the victim.
Durrant was sentenced in 1st District Court Tuesday afternoon. He previously pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, a third-degree felony.
Last fall, Durrant met the underage victim through a mutual friend. They had a brief relationship, often communicating through Snapchat. On November 30, he sexually assaulted her. The girl was approximately 15-year-old at the time.
During Tuesday’s sentencing, Durrant expressed sorrow for what he did. He promised that he would never do it again, telling the court it was not like him.
Durrant’s parents also spoke to the court, asking for mercy for their son. They said he wasn’t a sex-offender and deserved a second chance.
Judge Kevin Allen said that society has a duty to protect children, even when they may act older. He explained that from the evidence he had seen, Durrant knew the victim was a juvenile. He explained that his sentence was designed to help not just the defendant and the victim, but also to send a message to society.