A Gillette man was sentenced to four to seven years behind bars for sexually assaulting a girl in Natrona County eight years ago, Assistant District Attorney Mike Schafer said.

Jonathan Clarkson, 37, was charged in March with second-degree sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl in 2006, according to court records.

In August, Clarkson entered an Alford plea -- not admitting to the crime but conceding enough evidence exists to convince a jury of his guilt, according to court records.

At his sentencing Thursday, Clarkson told Natrona County District Court Judge Catherine Wilking that he was a veteran of the Iraq war and abused alcohol, Schafer said.

Clarkson said he could not remember the crime because he was often intoxicated, Schafer said.

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