Level 2 sex offender sentenced to DOC custody, treatment

By Harlan Hinkle’s own assessment, the crimes he committed against three girls in 2013 were heinous.
He gave a 13-year-old girl marijuana and raped her, as she pleaded for him to stop.
A 14-year-old tried to stop the attack but gave up when Hinkle threatened that he would go after anyone she told the rape about.
The third victim, also 14, said she was a willing sex partner, although state law prevents her from giving consent due to her young age.
And then there’s the 6-year-old he sexually assaulted in Yellowstone County.
For the three felony counts of sexual intercourse without consent in Stillwater County, Hinkle was given a 25-year sentence to the Department of Corrections with all but five years suspended at a hearing last Friday in district court.
It was a sentence with which 22nd Judicial District Judge Blair Jones said he struggled, given the nature of the crimes and the ages of the victims.
“You’ve probably earned a spot there (the Montana State Prison,” said Jones on how abhorrent the crimes were.
But putting a 20-year-old in a prison system inhabited by what Jones called “2-legged predators” was one step farther than the judge was willing to go
“I think they would chew you up and spit you out,” said Jones.
Instead, he followed the plea agreement in the case in which Hinkle will be recommended for placement at a pre-release center and will be required to complete sex offender treatment and any aftercare programs recommended.
Hinkle was also designated a Level 2 offender, which means he is at moderate risk to reoffend.
Once he is released from custody, Hinkle will be prohibited from living in the same home as minor children and will not be allowed to date a woman with minor children. He also will be forbidden from having any contact with minors and will not be allowed internet access through a phone or computer. Hinkle will also be subject to polygraph tests.
Jones said the sentence holds Hinkle accountable for his conduct, recognizes his young age, provides safety through long term supervision and puts in place tools to prevent future behavior.
“Your life depends on this,” Jones told Hinkle of abiding by all the court-imposed conditions.