CASSOPOLIS — A Niles man who imprisoned his ex wife and engaged in a 14-hour standoff with police in February 2012 will spend a minimum of 16 years in prison.

Michael Long, 43, was sentenced to 16 to 30 years in the Michigan Department of Corrections on the charge of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree Friday in Cass County Circuit Court.

Long pleaded no contest in February to the CSC charge and two other charges: first-degree home invasion and unlawful imprisonment.

The charges arise from Long’s actions on Feb. 20, 2012. On that date, Long broke into the home of his ex wife on Redfield Road in Edwardsburg while she was away, and found a loaded handgun inside. When Long’s ex wife returned home, Long threatened her and forced her inside the home. Long then assaulted her at gunpoint.

The victim was able to escape when someone knocked at the door. At that time, she ran outside into the care of police.

What followed was a 14-hour standoff between police and Long, who remained inside the home. Long eventually surrendered peacefully.

Long was facing a sentencing guideline range of 171 months to 285 months.

However, Long’s plea of no contest included a sentence bargain in which Long agreed to serve a minimum of 16 years in prison.

Judge Michael Dodge accepted the plea bargain and ordered lifetime electronic monitoring for him. Long is also now a registered sex offender. He is credited with 453 days served.

Long’s attorney, James Miller, said his client and the victim divorced 10 months prior to the incident after a long marriage. Miller said Long took the divorce very hard.

The victim said Long was a good husband for the first 15 years of marriage, until he began using methamphetamine.

The victim said Long harassed her with threatening phone calls and text messages after the divorce. She later learned Long had been periodically hiding in a barn on her property after the divorce.