COEUR d’ALENE — A man who admitted to raping a child has received a prison sentence.

Skyler Z. Hotchkiss-Palagonia, 24, pleaded guilty in February to lewd conduct with a minor under the age of 16, a felony.

Judge John Mitchell sentenced Hotchkiss-Palagonia this week to 30 years in prison with 10 years fixed.

Mitchell opted to retain jurisdiction in the case. That means Hotchkiss-Palagonia will spend up to a year in a prison treatment program, called a "rider," before Mitchell either places him on probation or sends him back to prison.

In accordance with a plea agreement, prosecutors recommended 10 years of supervised probation with an underlying prison sentence. But Mitchell said Hotchkiss-Palagonia poses an “unacceptable risk” to the community.

“You raped a girl, drunk, stoned, and have done nothing in seven years to change,” Mitchell said in court Tuesday. “It would be irresponsible to place you on probation.”

The charges stem from 2022, when a woman, now 18, contacted the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office to report a rape that occurred when she was 12.

The woman told police that she was under the influence of alcohol and marijuana when Hotchkiss-Palagonia raped her at a friend’s house. He was 18 at the time.

Hotchkiss-Palagonia admitted to the rape in text messages and when interviewed by police, according to court documents.

Prosecutors said the sentence recommended to the court this week came about through mediation that involved the victim.

A psychosexual evaluation reportedly indicated that Hotchkiss-Palagonia is at “above average” risk to reoffend.

For those reasons, Mitchell said, probation was not appropriate and won’t be unless Hotchkiss-Palagonia returns from the rider program having addressed mental health and substance abuse issues, as well as with another psychosexual evaluation that shows lower risk to reoffend.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual abuse, call Safe Passage Violence Prevention Center’s 24-hour hotline: 208-664-9303.