A 19 year old Troy man was sentenced Monday, Nov. 2, to 20 years in prison for attempted rape of a child under age 13.

Nicholas Fergerson originally was charged with felony rape. He was indicted this summer by a Miami County Grand Jury on a felony count of rape in a June 21incident when he allegedly had sexual contact with the child.

He later pleaded guilty to attempted rape in Common Pleas Court.

At sentencing, he said he wanted to apologize for his behavior and asked Judge Jeannine Pratt for leniency, citing his young age.

Pratt later sentenced him to 20 years. However, a resentencing hearing was scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, to correct what was described as an error in the sentence.

Prosecutor Tony Kendell said Fergerson violated the trust of the child "in a hateful and despicable way."

The child's parents and grandmother made victim statements.

The mother said she saw an immediate change in her daughter. "This trauma has consumed our lives," she said.

The father told the judge about countless tears and sleepless nights since the offense occurred. The grandmother said she believed Fergerson should be sentenced to life in prison because “he has sentenced our family to a lifetime of fear”

Pratt reviewed Fergerson’ s juvenile record for offenses including assaults, disorderly conduct, criminal trespass and driving under suspension. His adult record included the attempted rape conviction.

The judge said Fergerson showed no remorse for his actions and made self-serving statements about how the incident had affected him during a pre-sentence investigation.

"The situation speaks for itself. But for the amended charge, you would be looking at a life sentence," she said.

Fergerson was classified as a Tier III sex offender, requiring him to register for the rest of his life his address with the sheriff in the county where he lives.