A Bismarck man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for charges related to his sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl.

South Central District Judge Robert Wefald sentenced Joshua Gomez, 21, to 20 years, with all but 10 years suspended and five years probation for Class AA felony gross sexual imposition, two years for Class C felony criminal trespass, one year for Class A misdemeanor violation of a restraining order and one year for stalking. The four sentences will run concurrent to each other.

Wefald also ordered Gomez to pay $1,050 in fees while on probation and to complete sex offender treatment.

"The problem, Mr. Gomez, is you have a record that indicates you're a sexual predator," Wefald said.

Gomez and the girl began a relationship in June. The girl's mother got a restraining order prohibiting Gomez from contacting the girl, but he continued calling her. Gomez and the girl admitted to having sex on multiple occasions, according to prior court testimony.

Burleigh County Assistant State's Attorney Lloyd Suhr said Gomez received high scores on sex offender evaluations, indicating that he is a high risk to reoffend. Gomez has juvenile offenses related to his sexual conduct, Suhr said.

He said Gomez shows little remorse for his actions and had indicated that he was involved with the girl because her friends could give him drugs.

"My opinion, judge, he deserves to rot in a prison cell," Suhr said as he recommended a similar sentence to the one handed down by Wefald.

Kent Morrow, Gomez's appointed defense attorney, agreed that Gomez should serve prison time so he can complete sex offender and chemical dependency treatment. He recommended Gomez be sentenced to 10 years with five years suspended for gross sexual imposition and one year on each of the three other counts, with the sentences to run concurrent to each other.

Gomez said he is remorseful for his actions.

"I guess I really don't think this is something I'd do again," he said, while adding that he feels drugs and alcohol contributed to his decisions.

(Reach reporter Jenny Michael at 250-8225 or jenny.michael@;bismarcktribune.com.)