BROOKINGS, S.D. (KELO) — A former Watertown teacher and coach, who was trusted to take students to out-of-town competitions, is headed to prison. A Brookings county judge called it a “classic case of grooming” as he handed down the sentence.

Jordan Bakken | Courtesy Brookings County Sheriff’s Office

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As 33-year-old Jordan Bakken entered the courtroom, he was facing up to 15 years in prison for raping a 15-year-old student during an overnight tournament in Brookings.

During the sentencing hearing, Bakken’s attorney pointed out that he has no prior criminal history and asked for probation rather than prison time.

Bakken spoke and apologized to the victim, the community and his family. He also mentioned that he has not seen his kids in the nearly 300 days he has been in jail.

The judge responded, calling Bakken’s actions quote, “unacceptable in our society” and a quote, “classic case of grooming.”

Then, the judge sentenced Bakken to ten years in prison.

Brookings County State’s Attorney Dan Nelson was satisfied with the sentence.

“I think the judge outlined a lot of the concerns that we had on the case. I think the judge articulated very well how this particular defendant groomed and ultimately preyed on the victim. This victim was obviously in a very vulnerable situation. We had a high school teacher that took advantage of that opportunity,” Nelson said.

Nelson says the case sends a message that crimes against children will not be tolerated.

“I think this prison sentence sends a strong message to any of these types of individuals that are willing to prey on vulnerable victims, that they will be prosecuted and they will be held to the fullest extent of the law,” Nelson said.

Earlier this year, Bakken pleaded guilty to one count of rape, and other charges were dropped.As part of the plea deal, prosecutors in both Brookings and Codington Counties will be unable to file any additional charges against Bakken.