(CASSOPOLIS) - A Dowagiac man has been sentenced for sexually molesting an underage girl over several months in 2023.

Cass County Circuit Court officials say 26 year old James Tovey was sentenced to 7 to 15 years in prison, after pleading no contest to second degree criminal sexual conduct during the commission of a felony. He was given credit for 219 days served, and must also register as a sex offender and pay $1,048 in fines and costs.

Tovey also had his probation revoked for violating his probation from a 2022 fourth degree fleeing and eluding conviction, and given credit for 244 days served in that case.

Court officials say the criminal sexual conduct happened over several months in 2023 and involved Tovey having a sexual relationship with a then 13 year old girl at multiple locations in Cass County. The girl was rescued by the Southwest Enforcement Team at a hotel in the Benton Harbor area.

In a media release Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz called Tovey’s actions an abomination, and said Tovey is on the road to perdition if he doesn’t change. Fitz says Tovey was using drugs at the time of the incidents, but that is no excuse for his actions.