(CENTREVILLE) – A Sturgis man is heading to prison for having sex with a teen.

St. Joseph County Circuit Court officials say Kirk Hoff Jr. was sentenced to between 8 and 22 and a half years behind bars. He had been found guilty of third degree criminal sexual conduct as a second habitual offender, following a two day trial in May.

The victim, a 14 year old girl, had been a babysitter for Hoff’s five year old daughter, because the child’s mother worked nights.

Hoff denied having sex with the girl, but he did say in court that he try to console her after she broke up with her boyfriend.

The victim gave testimony that as she and Hoff talked, she laid down on a bed. She said Hoff did as well, then began to kiss and touch her, eventually taking her clothes off and then having sex with her.

The girl’s mother contacted Sturgis Police who conducted an investigation and eventually arrested Hoff.