COEUR d’ALENE — A man who prosecutors said “groomed” a teen girl through sexual text messages will spend up to eight years in prison.

Gabriel M. Griffith, 42, of Post Falls, pleaded guilty in August to injury to a child, a felony punishable by up to 10 years. 

First District Judge Barry McHugh sentenced Griffith this week to eight years in prison, with parole eligibility after four years. 

McHugh opted to retain jurisdiction in the case. This means Griffith will spend up to a year in a prison treatment program, called a rider, before McHugh either places him on probation or sends him back to prison. 

“I’m not satisfied that I have enough information right now,” McHugh said in court. “Imposition (of the underlying sentence) is a possibility down the road.” 

The charges stem from March, when a woman reported to police that she had discovered hundreds of sexually explicit text messages between her 16-year-old daughter and Griffith, according to court records. The messages indicated that Griffith knew the teen’s age, police said, and that he knew he would “be a sex offender” if they met in person. 

The girl told police she met Griffith while texting random numbers to see who responded. After Griffith replied to her message, the two continued to communicate over a period of 18 days, via text message and phone and video calls. Griffith initiated sexual conversations and sent pornography to the teen, according to court records. 

Prosecutors originally charged Griffith with sexual battery of a minor aged 16 or 17, a felony, and disseminating harmful material to minors, a misdemeanor. 

In exchange for Griffith’s guilty plea to the amended charge of injury to a child, prosecutors dismissed the other charges and agreed to recommend parole eligibility after four years. 

“This was very offensive and dangerous conduct,” prosecuting attorney Molly Nivison said in court, before Griffith received his sentence. “We’re lucky that the victim’s mother found out and stopped it. She was deeply emotionally traumatized.” 

McHugh noted that, although Griffith never met the teen in person, his conduct was nonetheless illegal and harmful to her. 

“You got into this situation and it got very explicit, very fast,” McHugh told Griffith. “The court can’t conclude anything other than that was your choice, your preference and your direction. It’s clear from the text messages that that was your desire. It was generated through you.” 

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual abuse, reach Safe Passage 24/7 by calling 208-664-9303 or texting 208-449-7228.