GR man will serve time in prison

A Green River man who admitted to having sex with a 14-year-old girl will serve time in prison.

Rhett T. Burge, 20, recently appeared in the Third District Court of Judge Nena James at a sentencing hearing to four felony counts of second-degree sexual abuse of a minor and two felony counts of third-degree sexual abuse of a minor.

Burge’s pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree sexual abuse of a minor, the rest of the felony charges were dismissed and Burge was ordered to serve a three-to-12-year prison sentence with credit given for 111 days served.

According to court documents, on Nov. 23, 2016, the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office received an investigation of allegations report on a possible sexual abuse of a minor that was reported to the city of Rock Springs, but happened outside of city limits.

On Nov. 17, 2016, a Rock Springs Police officer responded to a call from a school counselor at the Rock Springs Junior High School. The counselor informed the officer that a 14-year-old girl had been having a sexual relationship with a 19-year-old, later identified as Burge.

According to the affidavit information in support of the second-degree sexual abuse of a minor counts, Burge had sexual intercourse with the girl in his car on White Mountain, one time in a family changing room at the Rock Springs Recreation Center, once in his bedroom at his house and one time at the girl’s friend’s house.

Information supporting the third-degree sexual abuse charges claim Burge touched the girl or had the girl touch him inappropriately.

The girl was interviewed by officers and said she believed “if you love someone, age shouldn’t matter.” She said that’s how Burge felt too.

Burge was interviewed about the crimes and admitted to having sex with the girl and touching her inappropriately. The sheriff’s detective asked Burge if he told the girl “age does not matter.” Burge said he did tell the girl that a couple of times.

The sheriff’s detective asked Burge if is was wrong for a 19-year-old to have sex with a 14-year-old. Burge said it was wrong, but thought people would think “he raped” the girl, when it was consensual. Burge also stated he apologized every time they had sex because he felt that it was his fault and he pressured her.