News Photo by Reagan Voetberg John Prano enters the 26th Circuit Court in Alpena on Tuesday for his sentencing. He was sentenced to serve 25 to 50 years in prison for criminal sexual conduct.

ALPENA — John Prano, 34, was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison in the 26th Circuit Court on Tuesday on one charge of criminal sexual conduct (CSC) first degree for exploiting a child.

Prano was found guilty inafter a three day jury trial in October of one count of CSC first degree for a person under the age of 13. Prano was originally charged with five total counts: four first degree CSC charges and one second degree CSC charge. The jury found Prano not guilty of the other four charges.

Prano’s attorney, Rick Steiger, reiterated that there was a clear mistrial and he will be filing an appeal to the Michigan Court of Appeals.

In a Jan. 7 hearing, Steiger laid out the reasoning why he believes there was a mistrial. He claimed a not-impartial jury and ineffective assistance of counsel.

One of the jurors was an advocate for sexual assault victims through Hope Shores Alliance and was allegedly very influential in the jury’s deliberation.

The claim of ineffective assistance of counsel is based on statements made by the prosecutor during the trial that should have been objected to that were clearly not relevant and clearly prejudicial against Prano, Steiger said at the Jan. 7 hearing.

Judge Ed Black issued an opinion on the matter on Jan. 8 according to MiCourt and denied Steiger’s request for retrial.

Judge Black asked Prano if he had anything to say before sentencing, but he declined to speak.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Alyssa Miller called up the survivor and his mother to give impact statements before sentencing.

The News does not name survivors of sexual assault without their permission.

The survivor’s mother explained the impact that the sexual abuse had on her son from her perspective.

“At the age of six, I watched my son change over time,” she said. “Just as many parents would expect and want to see, in our case though, I watched my son change into someone I didn’t know or recognize.”

“What was once a normal, happy, smiley, well behaved little boy, became a very cold, hateful, hurtful and unhappy little boy,” she said.

People don’t think to teach their kid that their family could be the predator, the mother said. Children are warned about strangers, but not about the people that are supposed to protect them.

” I feel anger for the fact that my brother thought his actions were okay and that he would harm a child, especially his own nephew,” she said.

“I watch as (my son) learns how to allow trauma, pain, and happiness to exist in the same place,” she said.

The survivor’s mother read two poems that he had written, and then he read his own impact statement.

“As a child I lived in constant isolation, always wondering if what was happening to me was real or a nightmare I could not awaken from,” The survivor said. “I sensed deep inside that something was terribly wrong, that the pain, terror, and secrecy pressed upon me were never meant to be a part of anyone’s childhood. For seven years I existed in anguish, my innocence was stolen and the fabric of my soul torn apart.”

“When I was finally able to confide in someone that my own uncle had exploited me for his own gratification, the release was overwhelming,” he said.

“I stand before you, no longer a terrified child, but a survivor,” he said.

The survivor requested that Prano be sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison. That was also Miller’s request.

Multiple letters written on Prano’s behalf by the people closest to him were given to Judge Black by the defense. He read those off the record prior to sentencing.

“One of the things that people may not know, is that when you were thirteen you previously pleaded…no contest to gross indecency between a male and a female which at that time involved a 4-year-old female child.”

That incident was described as eerily similar to one of the incidents described in this case, Black said.

“I think it’s appropriate, frankly, that this sentence is what it is.”

Judge Black sentenced Prano to 25 to 50 years in prison with credit for 85 days served. If he is released, Prano will have lifetime electronic monitoring. He cannot have any contact with the survivor or come within 500 feet of his residence, place of work, or school.