Coby John Edwards, 27, Berthold, was sentenced on Tuesday to 40 years in prison, with 15 years suspended, and 10 years of supervised probation for sexually abusing a little girl between 2016 and 2018.

Edwards was convicted by a jury in Minot in July 2019 of Class AA felony gross sexual imposition.

North Central District Court Judge Doug Mattson noted that one test given to Edwards as part of a pre-sentence investigation indicated he is at high risk to reoffend. Another test given to him during the evaluation shows that he has an average risk to reoffend.

Mattson said Edwards told the evaluator the little girl was “confused” and he didn’t seem to express much if any remorse for his actions. Edwards also shattered the girl’s trust and the abuse will likely continue to affect her well into adulthood.

Mattson said he decided on the sentence because he wants the girl to be an adult before there is any possibility that Edwards will resume contact with her.

The girl was 6-years-old when she testified in front of her abuser in open court in July 2019. She was a preschooler when she was abused by Edwards. The child had been in the care of Edwards and his live-in girlfriend, Skylar Picconatto, for extended periods between 2016 and February 2018.

Picconatto had originally been charged with also abusing the girl, but was allowed to plead guilty to a reduced charge of Class C felony contributing to the delinquency of a minor and was sentenced to one year in jail and three years of probation. Picconatto is also allowed contact with her own children, but is not allowed contact with the victim. The victim is now in the custody of her mother.

At Edwards’ sentencing hearing on Tuesday, special prosecutor Kelly Dillon had recommended that Mattson sentence Edwards to 40 years, with 10 years suspended, and 10 years of probation. She said she had reviewed the sentences handed down in similar cases, but most cases such as these don’t go to trial and the victim wasn’t forced to testify in the other cases.

The defense had recommended that Edwards be sentenced to 20 years, with 15 years suspended. Defense attorney Kevin McCabe said Edwards can’t be penalized for taking the case to trial, which was his right.

Mattson agreed that a defendant cannot be penalized for going to trial.

Edwards will get credit for the 509 days he has already served in the Ward County Jail. He will get no time off for good behavior while he was in the jail because he has been written up three times for bad behavior while he has been incarcerated.

Mattson also ordered Edwards to complete sex offender treatment while he is in prison.

Edwards will also be able to appeal the conviction to the state supreme court.