Despite his claims that his predatory behavior was only meant to “help out” his victim, a Dowagiac man’s sexual abuse of a 15-year-old girl has landed him in prison.

Judge Michael Dodge sentenced 31-year-old Mark Johnson to a minimum of 20 months to a maximum term of 15 years in prison during the defendant’s sentencing hearing, which took place Friday at the Cass County Law and Courts building in Cassopolis. Johnson was punished for a single count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, which he pleaded guilty to on July 24.

The charge stems from the illicit sexual conduct Johnson had with the teenage victim last year. The defendant admitted to having sexual intercourse with the girl on a single occasion, Dodge said. A former firefighter, Johnson engaged in this behavior despite the fact he is married with six children, several of which are also teenagers, the judge said.

“I have no idea why it was you decided to victimize a minor in this fashion,” Dodge said.

Johnson had also “groomed” the victim as well, touching her inappropriately and sending her sexually suggestive text messages to see if she would say anything to others about it, said Assistant Prosecutor Tiffiny Vohwinkle.

When his wife left on a trip out of state, the man sent the teenager a text message asking her to come over, telling her “I’m not going to get any [sex],” the prosecutor said.

“He was inviting her over as soon as his wife and his children were out of his hair, as he was essentially pointing out,” Vohwinkle said.

Johnson told Dowagiac police officers investigating the abuse that he was simply giving the victim advice and suggestions about sex, since she did not have a boyfriend, Vohwinkle said.

“This man, who is a father of six kids, was telling this girl to do things to her body that nobody should ever be doing,” she said. “And he was asking her to photograph it and send it to him.”

Johnson’s attorney, Tat Parish, asked the judge to grant leniency for his client, whose family and friends sent the court letters of support on his behalf. The Dowagiac man, despite receiving special education for reading as a child, has worked hard throughout his life and established a good reputation with many in the community, Parish said.

“He has become an overachiever, in the best sense of the word, in life,” Parish said. “He managed to complete high school. He became a fireman, and has a good record as that. He has no record of criminal activity, either as an adult or a juvenile.”

Despite Parish’s argument, Dodge sentenced Johnson at the top of the sentencing guidelines, per the plea agreement the defendant had struck with prosecutors.

Johnson declined the opportunity to speak on his own behalf in court that morning.

Johnson received two days credit for time already served. He has also been registered as a sex offender, per the requirements of the Michigan Sex Offender Registration Act.

Also sentenced Friday:

• Jason Graham, 19, of Kalamazoo, to two years of probation for resisting arrest.

• Joseph Shorts, 25, of Niles, to two years of probation for possession with intent to deliver Fentanyl, delivery of Fentanyl, and delivery of marijuana.

• Victor Aranda, of Niles, to 18 months of probation for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.

• Jonathan Costner, 36, of Elkhart, to two years of probation for possession of methamphetamine.

• Justin Tucker, 28, of Elkhart, to two years or probation for maintaining/operating a lab involving methamphetamine.

• Bradley West, 30, of Dowagiac, to a minimum term of three years to a maximum of 20 years in prison for methamphetamine related charges.

• George Bowman, 53, of Cassopolis, to 300 days in jail with 57 days credit for time already served for possession of a Taser and possession of marijuana.