CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A Wyoming man was sentenced to at least 18 years in prison after pleading guilty for sexually abusing a teenage girl who was in foster care.

Mervin Scofield Jr., 60, pleaded guilty this week to two counts of sexual assault of a minor while in a position of authority. Scofield apologized in court, saying he can't forgive himself for what he did.

His attorney asked for a probation sentence, but Laramie County District Court Judge Catherine Rogers agreed with prosecutors that prison time was necessary. Rogers said Scofield was dangerous and shouldn't receive probation alone.

According to court records, the girl told the Laramie County Sheriff's Department that she was assaulted three times by Scofield in the fall of 2015.

More From KOWB 1290