ST. CLAIRSVILLE — A Bridgeport man will spend a year and a half behind bars for sexually assaulting a woman.

Belmont County Common Pleas Judge Frank Fregiato gave Jerred Brandon Pettit, 22, of 68202 Commercial Drive, Bridgeport, the maximum penalty after he pleaded guilty to gross sexual imposition, a felony of the fourth degree occurring

June 2.

Pettit was designated as a Tier 1 sex offender and must register his address with the sheriff of the county where he resides for 15 years.

According to the prosecutor’s office, the victim was an adult woman and the incident occurred at a Lansing address where Pettit was staying.

Pettit’s defense attorney, Aaron Miller, asked that community control sanctions be considered and any incarceration be served in the county jail with the opportunity to participate in the Eastern Ohio Correction Center.

“He’s accepted responsibility for his actions on this particular evening,” Miller said. “The charge to which he pled is actually a fair representation of the facts in this case.”

Pettit expressed remorse when he addressed Fregiato.

“I deeply apologize for the trouble I’ve put you, my family especially, and the people in this incident through. I’ve been trying to rehabilitate myself,” he said.

“This court respectfully rejects the defendant’s request for community control sanctions. I am imposing the maximum in this case,” Fregiato said.

Pettit will serve his sentence in prison.

In an unrelated case, Honi Jo Hickenbottam, 38, of 45679 Roscoe Road, St. Clairsville, was sentenced after failing to complete the drug court program. She originally was convicted of possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree occurring Aug. 25, 2018. Fregiato imposed three years of community controls. She will serve six months in jail and six months at the EOCC with a reserve sentence of one year in the event of a violation.

Public Defender Frank Pierce said Hickenbottam still wants to pursue rehabilitation.

“She still wants to work on her sobriety, and she can continue to do that on community controls,” Pierce said.

“Extremely sad,” Fregiato replied. “Drug court is nothing short of a gift from God, and if it lands in your lap and you kick it away … with drug court, it gives you an opportunity to turn your life around.”

Common Pleas Judge John Vavra also held court Monday. Phillip Edward Reilley Jr., 29, of 303 Market St., Toronto, had his probation revoked after admitting to violations. He will serve the remaining 96 days of his sentence in jail. He originally was convicted of receiving stolen property, a felony of the fourth degree occurring May 24, 2018.