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DAVIS COUNTY, IOWA -- Patrick Ryan Nicoletto, former Bloomfield girls’ basketball coach, has been sentenced to five years in prison for having a sexual relationship with a Davis County student.

Nicoletto received the sentence from Judge Myron Gookin in Davis County District Court Wednesday morning.

Nicoletto will also have to register as a sex offender.

Gookin told the court that the five-year sentence was mandatory in this case because Nicoletto was by law a mandatory reporter of child abuse.

Before the judge passed sentence, Becky Goettsch, prosecutor, told the court that the female victim in the case chose not to be in court today because she has come to believe that community is blaming her for the relationship.

Keith Rigg, defense attorney, argued that the mandatory sentence denied his client his right of due process and informed the court of Nicoletto's intention to appeal the case.

Gookin permitted Nicoletto to post a 75 hundred dollar appeal bond, meaning he will not be required to report to prison until his appeal is heard.

Previous stories

Nicoletto guilty

Victim takes the stand against Nicoletto

Nicoletto trial underway in Bloomfield