XENIA — A Xenia man was sentenced to 22 to 25 years in prison Feb. 12 for rape.

Shawn Schirmer, 32, pleaded guilty to two counts of rape and two counts of sexual battery in Greene County Common Pleas Court Friday, according to the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office. Visiting Judge William H. Wolff Jr. then sentenced Schirmer.

The crimes, which involved a minor child victim, occurred in Xenia. Xenia Police Division handled the case.

Schirmer befriended and groomed the child before the two engaged in numerous acts of sexual conduct, the prosecutor’s office said.

The defendant also gave marijuana to the child in exchange for the acts. Their relationship continued for several months until the child’s parents became suspicious.

Jail and court records show Schirmer was arrested Oct. 30, 2020 and indicted Nov. 6, 2020.

Prosecutor David Hayes commended Det. Doug Sparks of the Xenia Police Division, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Michele Henne and Victim Advocate Amanda Opicka for the successful prosecution.

“Due to their efforts, a dangerous sex offender is off the streets and behind bars,” Hayes said in a release.

Schirmer has a previous conviction of two counts of public indecency in Highland County. Once he is released from prison, he will be required to register as a Tier III sex offender, requiring community notification and in-person verification every 90 days for the rest of his life.