Abshere to spend 5 years behind bars

On Tuesday, July 9, Kristopher Abshere appeared in the Foster County Courthouse for sentencing after pleading guilty to gross sexual imposition.

Abshere was charged with the Class AA felony last June after he was discovered to have impregnated a 14-year-old girl.

Court documents say the sexual relationship between Abshere and the girl began in Carrington while he had been living with her and her family since May 2021, and continued when he and the family moved to New Rockford in the fall of 2022.

The 14-year-old later gave birth, and according to court documents, multiple text and Instagram messages prove Abshere is the father.

"On May 11, 2023, they exchanged dozens of messages professing their love for each other," state court documents. "When Jane Doe said she was, 'scared to whats coming next for the 3 of us,' the defendant replied, 'I miss you too. I love you so much.' "

Court documents go on to quote a long text message that Abshere sent to the girl's father on June 1, 2023, shortly before his arrest.

The message reads, in part, "Her mentality is very mature her soul is older. I know this may sound crazy but I believe that her and I were destined to find each other."

Abshere originally pleaded not guilty to the Class AA felony charge, and appeared to be prepared to take his case to trial, which was set to begin on April 15 this year.

However, rather than face a jury of his peers, Abshere elected to change his plea to guilty, and after a months-long presentence investigation, he was back in Carrington on Tuesday to learn his fate.

First though, an emotional impact statement was delivered by the victim's mother.

"We are very proud of our daughter and the strength she has, and the mom she turned out to be despite all that she's been through," said the mother fighting back tears.

"I have forgiven you Kris, but will never forget you have to meet your maker one day," she continued. "He is the one you have to answer to for what you've done ... I hope you seek help for this sick behavior and are able to change your life around, and if not only for you, but your kids and your mom. You need help to understand how wrong it was ... please get the help and take responsibility for your actions."

Abshere was also given the opportunity to speak before receiving his sentence, but chose not to.

In agreement with a joint recommendation from the prosecution and defense, District Court Judge James Hovey sentenced Abshere to 20 years in the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, with 15 years suspended.

He also gets credit for 385 days already served, and will therefore spend approximately four more years behind bars.

Upon his release, he'll also be under supervised probation for five years, and must register as a sex offender for no less than 15 years and potentially for life.

Among other limitations, Abshere – who is also a convicted felon in the state of Oregon for domestic violence – will not be allowed to appear at or loiter near locations primarily used by minors, such as schools, arcades and playgrounds.