By Blake Deshazo

The Selma Times-Journal

The man responsible for raping a teenage girl in March 2013 will spend the next 16 years of his life behind bars.

Frederick Jermain Prince, 37, pled guilty to first-degree rape and first-degree burglary on Friday.

Circuit Judge Collins Pettaway sentenced Prince to serve 192 months in prison for each charge.

“It was a very violent offense, and we’re glad to be able to send him off to prison for a very long time,” District Attorney Michael Jackson said. “We are going to keep shipping these rapists and burglars off to prison for a long time.”

Jackson said he spoke to the family, and they are pleased with the sentence.

“They are pleased about this, knowing that this guy is not going to be on the streets any time soon,” Jackson said. “Rape is one of the worst crimes someone can commit short of murder, and to rape a minor makes it even worse.”

According to police reports, Prince sexually assaulted the teenage girl. The reports also stated that Prince threatened to kill the victim and other family members.

According to records, Prince is a registered sex offender and a convicted felon for raping a Dallas County woman in June 1997.

During the investigation, the Selma Police Department discovered Prince failed to properly register his address with law enforcement.