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South Bend coach gets prison for having sex with teen

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — A former South Bend high school basketball coach has been sentenced to six years in prison after admitting he had a sexual relationship for nine months with a 15-year-old girl.

St. Joseph Superior Judge Jane Woodward Miller sentenced Stephen Rokop on Tuesday. The 28-year-old former special education paraprofessional and freshman boys basketball coach at Washington High School had earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual misconduct with a minor and one count of child seduction. Authorities say the girl was a student, but not one of Rokop's.

The South Bend Tribune reports that Rokop apologized to the victim, his wife, and his infant daughter.

Miller told Rokop he violated the trust of the community, parents, and the victim by abusing his power as a coach and teacher.