LOGAN — A 23-year-old North Logan man has been sentenced to four months in jail for sexually assaulting a woman more than three years ago. Joshua Hunter Cline apologized to the victim before being taken into custody by bailiffs and escorted out of a courtroom.
Cline was sentenced Monday, July 1, in Logan’s 1st District Court. He previously pleaded “no contest” to two charges of attempted forcible sexual abuse, amended to a third-degree felony.
The plea meant Cline conceded the alleged charges occurred without admitting guilt or offering a defense. It is still viewed as a guilty plea in court.
According to prosecutors, North Park police officers began investigating Cline after the victim described being sexually assaulted on Sept. 10, 2021. The two were reportedly acquaintances.
Investigators interviewed Cline. He admitted to hanging out with the woman on the night of the incident. While they were at his home, he reportedly started inappropriately touching her as she told him “no.”
The report stated, Cline claimed the victim told him to stop two to three times. He reportedly told police, he thought the woman was just uncomfortable or nervous, and that if he continued it would make her happy.
During Monday’s sentencing, defense attorney Wayne Caldwell said Cline made a big mistake that night and did not respect or communicate properly with the victim. He said his client was remorseful for making the woman “feel bad.”
Cline told the victim he was sorry and never wanted to cause her harm. He said, “I don’t ever want to harm anyone again.”
Judge Spencer Walsh said the case could have been avoided if Cline would have respected the victim’s boundaries. He called the defendant’s conduct “wrong and appalling that can’t be tolerated.”
Cline was sentenced to serve 120 days in jail, being given credit for one day previously served. He will then be placed on probation for up to 48 months.
Caldwell had asked for Cline to be given work release and report to jail in a couple days, to prepare to be incarcerated. Both motions were denied by Judge Walsh based on the seriousness of the crimes.