A Berrien County man who pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal sexual conduct was sentenced to a five-year probation term Monday at the South Berrien County Courthouse in Niles.
Daniel Cronk, 20, of Benton Harbor, pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl in Berrien Springs in June.
The terms of the probation include having no contact with females under age 18, registering with the sex offender list and participation in the Kalamazoo Probation Enhancement Program (KPEP).
Judge Scott Schofield warned Cronk that if he doesn’t successfully complete the program, he would likely be sentenced to prison.
“I’m not trying to scare you, but prison is a viable option for anyone who can’t make it through KPEP,” Schofield told Cronk. “KPEP is your last chance to avoid prison.”
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Cara Wilkinson said although it was Cronk’s first criminal offense, it was a “pretty serious, significant” crime.
Defense attorney Shannon Sible said his client “will have no trouble following the probation terms.”