YOUNGSTOWN — Joaquin Peralta, 55, pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of rape for raping a child between Sept. 1, 2016, and March 1, 2019, in Youngstown and was sentenced Monday to 15 years in prison.

Peralta, of Youngstown, was indicted on two counts of rape that could have resulted in a life prison sentence for each, but Peralta accepted a plea deal that allowed him to plead guilty to two lesser rape charges that carry a prison sentence of up to 11 years in prison each.

Peralta also is a tier 3 sex offender as a result of his convictions, meaning he will have to register with the county sheriff’s office every 90 days for life when he leaves prison.

Peralta did not speak during his hearing before Judge R. Scott Krichbaum of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, but the child and the child’s mother both wrote letters that were read in court.

Peralta, who attended the hearing with an interpreter, faces the possibility of being deported when he leaves prison, said Steve Maszczak, county assistant prosecutor. When asked during the hearing whether he is a U.S. citizen, Peralta said he is a “resident,” not a citizen.

Peralta received the prison sentence jointly recommended by prosecutors and the defense, which prevents Peralta from appealing his sentence. The child and the child’s mother were in agreement with the plea and recommended sentence.

The child’s mother told the judge that Peralta was a “wolf in sheep’s clothing,” stealing the child’s innocence, abusing her sexually and “emotionally and psychologically.” She called Peralta a “monster.”

She said she and the child “will overcome this with therapy and come back stronger.”

The child said she did not think Peralta would abuse her, “I guess I was wrong. You were a monster all along. I am stronger now.”

Peralta’s attorney, Jeff Kurz, said there was “nothing in his past that would indicate he would be capable” of these types of offenses and is active in his church in Warren.

Before approving the 15-year sentence, Krichbaum mentioned the child’s mother’s remarks about coming back stronger from the offenses Peralta committed and said, “God bless them. That is exactly what she and her family should do.”

He also credited the child for a similar statement, saying the child “doesn’t want to live … life as a victim. (The child) wants to overcome this horrible thing,” the judge said.

The judge said “about the only thing I can take satisfaction in is that I can put this guy in the penitentiary.”