19-year-old sentenced to probation for sexually abusing minor

A Cedar Rapids man was sentenced to probation Tuesday for sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl in January.

Scott Speth, 19, pleaded guilty in November in Linn County District Court to two counts of lascivious acts with a child. He faced up to 20 years  in prison, but was given a deferred judgment and five years probation because of his lack of criminal history and the nature of the incident.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Ian Thornhill said he was giving Speth a second chance to prove this was a one-time offense based upon Speth's age at the time, 18, and the age of the victim, who was just four days from turning 14, an age that wouldn't have made the incident a crime.

Tyler Johnston, Speth's attorney, asking for the deferred judgment, told the judge Speth was "emotionally and intelligently immature" for his age. He did an "impulsive and dumb thing" and shouldn't be branded as a sex offender.

Speth declined to speak at the hearing, and the victim didn't give an impact statement or attend the hearing.

Thornhill also ordered Speth to enroll in a sex offender treatment program while on probation.