Missouri High School Student Sentenced to Eight Years for Rape

A 17-year-old northwest Missouri high school student has been sentenced to eight years for raping a 14-year-old girl.

Dakota D. Cochran was sentenced after he pleaded guilty Thursday in Platte County Circuit Court to charges of first-degree rape and second-degree child molestation.

The Kansas City Star reports the girl told authorities Cochran raped her in a car in March.

Platte County Prosecutor Eric Zahnd announced the outcome of the case Friday. Zahnd also criticized other high school students for reportedly harassing the girl and her supporters.

Under Missouri law, Cochran will be required to register as a sex offender.