MONTESANO, Wash. — A Montesano man convicted of sexually assaulting a young child has been sentenced to 45 years to life in prison.

Michael Anthony Hogle appeared before the Grays Harbor County Superior Court on Friday, where Judge Katherine Svoboda imposed a sentence of 540 months to life imprisonment following his convictions for Rape of a Child in the First Degree and Child Molestation in the First Degree.

The case began in early 2024 when Montesano police officers responded to an apartment on the eastern side of the city for a reported domestic dispute. While investigating that incident, officers obtained information indicating that Hogle had been sexually assaulting the young child of his girlfriend over a period of several months.

Montesano officers immediately launched a criminal investigation into the allegations. The investigation ultimately led to Hogle's arrest and the filing of multiple child sexual assault charges.

Last month, Grays Harbor County Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Daniel Crawford and former Deputy Prosecutor Tony Carlow presented the case before a Grays Harbor County jury. After hearing the evidence, jurors found Hogle guilty of one count of First-Degree Rape of a Child and one count of First-Degree Child Molestation.

Authorities credited the successful prosecution to the collaborative efforts of law enforcement, prosecutors, victim advocates, and support personnel who worked throughout the investigation and court proceedings.

In a statement following the sentencing, the Montesano Police Department thanked the many individuals who contributed to the case and its outcome. Special recognition was given to Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Daniel Crawford, former Deputy Prosecutor Tony Carlow, Montesano Police Officer Elliott Nelson, Hoquiam Police Officer Juan Martinez, retired Montesano Police Officer Brandon Kallgren, and former Child Forensic Interviewer Nina Taylor for their work in seeking justice for the child victim.

The victim's identity has not been released due to the nature of the crimes.

With the sentence imposed, Hogle will remain in state custody for a minimum of 45 years before becoming eligible for any future review, and could spend the remainder of his life in prison.