A man was given a probationary sentence Thursday for inappropriately touching a young girl in Columbia Falls in 2013.

Ryan Remington, 30, was sentenced to 10 years in Montana State Prison, all suspended. He had pleaded guilty to one felony count of sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl.

He was fined $2,000 and ordered to pay $51,154 to Montana Medicaid for the victim’s counseling costs. He will have to complete two phases of sex offender treatment.

Flathead District Judge David Ortley noted that he had reviewed the entire file and that while some people might not understand how a suspended sentence is appropriate, there is much information that the public and even judges do not get to see. Ortley said he trusted the judgment of the attorneys in the case.

Flathead County Deputy Attorney Travis Ahner said the plea agreement was drafted after the victim’s mother relayed to him that she wanted Remington to get treatment and not necessarily be punished.

“She didn’t want to have to have her daughter testify,” Ahner said.

The incident has caused the child great mental anguish, Ahner said.

Ortley noted that Remington had no previous criminal conduct. A sex offender evaluation deemed that he was at no risk to re-offend. Ortley also said that he did not feel sending Remington to prison would accomplish anything.

“Only time and perhaps grace will make things right for the victim in this case,” Ortley said.

Remington’s attorney Thane Johnson said Remington has been a model citizen before and after the incident.

“You won’t see him again,” Johnson said.

Remington expressed his remorse for the crime.

“I wish I had a magic wand to change the past,” Remington said.

He promised that future conduct would reflect his past.

“I’m a good person,” Remington said. “I’ve always been law-abiding. I’ve served my country.”

Ortley told Remington that any infractions on probation would land him in prison.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.