The Nodaway County Missouri Attorney’s Office reports a man from Cass County, IA, was sentenced Monday to three-years in prison on a rape charge. 21-year old Hunter Bechtol, of Atlantic, was found guilty by a grand jury, of Felony 2nd Degree Rape. The jury handed-down its unanimous verdict after just three-hours of deliberation, following a two-day trial in late January.

Bechtol was charged with having sexual intercourse without consent, with a confidential victim on the Northwest Missouri State University campus, last April. Second degree rape in Missouri is punishable by up to seven years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or any combination of the two penalties. The prosecution had argued for a seven-year sentence, while Bechtol’s attorneys asked for probation.