A Warren man will register as a sex offender for life in the wake of a sentence handed down Friday in Warren County Court.

Dakota S. Griffin, 24, Warren, was sentenced by President Judge Maureen Skerda on charges including aggravated independent assault, corruption of minors and indecent assault against a juvenile female.

The victim reported that she was living at the Beech Street address with friends, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

Griffin allegedly walked behind her and asked if he could touch her. She said no and told investigators that Griffin “threatened to have her kicked out of the home, causing her to be homeless.”

Griffin allegedly then assaulted her. She reported she was kicked out of the home after discussing the incident with others.

The victim further reported that Griffin reached out to her since “stating that he wanted to perform more sexual acts on her.”

Police interviewed another housemate, who disclosed that the victim went downstairs to get water for her cat

when Griffin approached her.

“The housemate advised that since the sexual assault occurred, (Griffin) has reached out to her and the victim on separate occasions asking if they would allow him to perform other sexual acts on them,” the affidavit stated.

Griffin’s attorney, Chief Public Defender Kord Kinney, said that Griffin takes responsibility and is remorseful for his actions and is looking at state prison as a “fresh start.”

Assistant District Attorney Casey Strickland told the court that the victim was 17 years old.

“The defendant did with her what he wanted,” she said, calling the conduct “absolutely despicable behavior.”

Strickland said it’s “clear” that Griffin needs to be sent to state prison.

Griffin apologized to the victim and said “what I did was horribly wrong,” telling the court he doesn’t know why he did it.

Skerda said that Griffin has acquired “quite a record” as a juvenile and adult, calling a state sentence “appropriate.”

She added that she found Griffin’s behavior in this case “highly predatory” and “totally out of line.”

Skerda then sentenced Griffin to 42 to 84 months incarceration, $3,275 in fines and fees, lifetime registration as a sex offender, submission of a DNA sample, a no contact/trespass order, a mental health evaluation, sexual offender programming and three years probation on a count of aggravated indecent assault; 14-28 months incarceration and a 15-year registration window on a count of corruption of minors and nine to 18 months incarceration and a 15-year registration window on a count of indecent assault. The term of imprisonment – 65 to 130 months – will be followed by reentry supervision.