A Shelby County man has been convicted and sentenced in a 2021 rape.

Nicholas Richard Schoonover, 36, pleaded guilty mid trial last week to first-degree rape. As part of the plea, court records show, a charge of incest was dismissed with conditions.

Schoonover, of Helena, was arrested in 2021. The crime happened in May of 2021.

The trial began Monday, Oct. 16, said Shelby County District Attorney Matt Casey. The following day, Schoonover changed his plea to guilty.

Schoonover was sentenced to 42 years in prison. Casey said the sentence is not eligible for correctional incentive time, also known as “good time.”

The victim, the district attorney said, agreed to the terms of the plea which prohibits any future appeals.

“We are very thankful for the bravery our victim showed by facing her abuser,” Casey said. “Her testimony, along with the work of the investigative team, ensured that the defendant will serve a lengthy prison sentence and will be registered as a sex offender for the rest of his life.”

The case against Schoonover was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Jody Tallie and Matthew Kimbrough. It was investigated by the Helena Police Department with assistance from Calhoun Cleburne Children’s Center.