A Kalispell man is headed to prison for five years after repeatedly molesting a young girl over a two-year time frame.

On Friday, Flathead District Judge Heidi Ulbricht sentenced Jared Ray Trujillo, 31, to 20 years in the Montana State Prison, with 15 years suspended. Trujillo also will have to complete the first part of a two-part sex-offender treatment program in prison.

Before the sentencing, Trujillo said he was sorry for his misconduct.

“I have and will begin each day remembering the pain I have caused,” Trujillo said.

The judge’s decision followed the recommendation of prosecutor Stacey Boman, who said that the sentence was in line with other similar cases the court has recently handled.

Trujillo’s attorney Sean Hinchey had asked that Trujillo’s sentence be completely suspended, and lengthy testimony was given by Andy Hudak, a licensed counselor who has been working to help rehabilitate Trujillo.

Hudak said Trujillo was at low risk to reoffend and had made some progress in treatment. Hudak said Trujillo’s actions were likely triggered by multigenerational abuse and being sexualized at a young age. Hudak said prison time would likely be a “detour” to Trujillo’s progress, because it is not a setting that optimizes rehabilitation.

“He goes to prison and that’s an environment where he has to go back to his old ways,” Hudak said.

Hinchey also characterized Trujillo as someone who was remorseful.

“I don’t see a whole lot of intent to be a mean, hateful person,” Hinchey said. “I feel he has a great amount of shame.”

But Ulbricht and Boman both noted that they were concerned because the conduct was initially reported to adults who did not disclose the abuse to authorities, but did put measures in place to make sure the abuse did not continue. After those preventive measures were removed, the abuse continued.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or [email protected].