VALPARAISO (AP) — A former firefighter was sentenced to 28 years in prison Friday for repeatedly having sex with a young girl and restraining her with handcuffs and straps during the attacks.

Michael Parsons, 39, could be released in 12 years or less with credit for time already served and for good behavior. Judge Roger Bradford imposed the maximum sentence.

"I hope in time I can be forgiven for what I've done," Parsons said during his sentencing hearing Friday in Porter Superior Court.

Parsons pleaded guilty in January to four felony counts including child molesting, child exploitation, sexual misconduct and criminal confinement in return for prosecutors dropping nine other charges.

He told the court he repeatedly had sex with the girl, who was under the age of 14, from Jan. 1, 2003, to May 6, 2006. Parsons allegedly took photos and put them on his home computer. In at least one incident, Parsons allegedly forced the girl to wear his firefighter's gas mask while he taped over the viewing area and stuck a sock in the breathing receptacle.

"You used me to fulfill your sick fantasies," the girl told Parsons in court Friday. She said she now suffers from anxiety and depression.

"I'm trying to fill this hole in me you've dug," she said.

Upon his release from prison, Parsons will be required to register with the state as sex offender.

Parsons resigned as a South Haven firefighter in December after being charged with choking a fellow firefighter during the department's Christmas party.

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Information from: The Times, http://nwitimes.com