Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

NILES — A 61-year-old man has been sentenced to prison for sexually molesting a young girl and getting her pregnant.

Willie Wright, Jr., 61, now of Kalamazoo, pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal sexual conduct and was sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison Monday in Berrien County Trial Court. He has credit for 94 days served and must pay $258 in fines and costs. He will have lifetime electronic monitoring if he’s released and must register as a sex offender.

The incident occurred in late 2014 at a location in Eau Claire. 

Berrien County Assistant Prosecutor Myrene Koch argued successfully to have the sentencing guidelines raised because of Wright’s conduct and the impact it had on the victim. The guidelines, which are advisory and not mandatory, were originally 42 to 70 months and were raised to 108 to 180 months.

The victim spoke briefly before the sentencing. She said the abuse lasted for years, that she felt isolated at the time and that she was seeking justice for herself and her child.

“I don’t think any words I can say can give you justice from your standpoint, but I hope you get closure today,” Berrien County Trial Court Judge Gordon Hosbein said.

In addition to objecting to elements of the initial sentencing guidelines, Koch also asked Judge Hosbein to exceed the guidelines. 

“He did these actions over a long period of time and they had a ripple effect on the victim and others,” she said.

Wright apologized to the victim and her family.

In handing down the prison sentence, Judge Hosbein concluded that the sentencing guidelines-even at their higher levels-did not take into account the specifics of this incident including how Wright’s actions affected the victim.

“It leads me to believe that there is reason to go above and beyond the guidelines,” the judge said. “The guidelines don’t encapsulate the circumstances of the case.”