CASSOPOLIS — A man who prosecutors said exhibited “deeply disturbing behavior” has been sentenced to a lengthy prison stay.

Cass County Circuit Court Judge Mark Herman sentenced Patrick Ray Chestnutt, 39, of the 24000 block of North Shore Drive in Edwardsburg, a period in prison for not less than six years, 11 months for a charge of using a computer to commit a crime and to three to six years in prison for accosting a child for immoral purposes. His sentences will run concurrently.

Chestnutt was a habitual, second-offense offender on both charges. He pleaded guilty to the charges during an April 13 court appearance.

Additionally, Chestnutt had his probation revoked for another offense.

As part of his sentence, Chestnutt is barred from having contact with any minor.

The incidents that led to the charges took place between August and September 2017, when Chestnutt used his computer multiple times to solicit a teenaged boy for sex and offered minors money for sexual favors. At the time of the offenses and his arrest, Chestnutt was on probation for using his phone to film two teenagers having sex.

Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz asked that Chestnutt be sentenced at the top of the sentencing guidelines for his crimes, citing the effect Chestnutt has had on his victims.

“[Chestnutt] has affected the lives of more than one child forever,” Fitz said. “And [Chestnutt] isn’t stopping. He was on probation at the time of this offense for similar behavior.”

Fitz said that Chestnutt has exhibited predatory behavior with his victims, saying that Chestnutt would “groom” his victims by buying them clothing or would employ them for work at his home.

“[Chestnutt] has said that he had a rough upbringing, which no doubt contributed to his behavior,” Fitz said. “But he is a man now. He needs to act like a civilized member of society and not prey on children. … This is a man who does not have his behavior under control. He is a danger to the public.”

Chestnutt’s attorney, James Miller, asked that Chestnutt be sentenced to the minimum sentence under the sentencing guidelines, saying that Chestnutt needed intense psychological treatment for his behavior.

“[Chestnutt] has told me for so long that he needs help, that he needs some way out of his lifestyle,” Miller said. “He needs some serious psychological assistance, and I do believe that a minimum sentence under the guidelines is appropriate.”

When it was his turn to make a statement, Chestnutt said he did not see himself as a “predator,” and that the minor he is accused of abusing, approached him first. Chestnutt also said that he blamed Prosecutor Fitz and the police for failing to keep him from the minor.

“I don’t think I’m a predator. I’m not hiding in the bushes,” he said.

Ultimately, Judge Herman agreed with the prosecutor to sentence Chestnutt at the top of the sentencing guidelines.

“You sit here and say you are not a predator, but if you can’t appreciate [that you are a predator], you need serious treatment,” Herman said to Chestnutt Friday. “You sit in this court and say, ‘he approached me.’ You try to minimize it. When they are 15, it is no, period. When they are minors, it is no, period. You can’t justify that by saying, ‘he approached me.’ You are the adult in this situation.”

Herman said that Chestnutt’s file and prior history has many instances of sexual predatory behavior.

“If you can’t see that [what you are doing] is predatory behavior, you need serious help,” Herman told Chestnutt. “And you need to be locked up for a long time until you can recieve that help. … Society needs to be protected from you.”