JERSEY CITY - A 36-year-old man was sentenced to 13 years in prison for kidnapping, drugging, and raping his stepdaughter in 2015.

The man, a Jersey City resident who is not being named to protect the identity of the victim, maintained his innocence in court Thursday morning, despite having pleaded guilty to the horrific crime in March.

On May 29, 2015, the man kidnapped his 14-year-old stepdaughter, forced her to use cocaine, and then raped her in the back of a car, Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Jane Weiner said in court.

The 14-year-old girl went home crying to her mother after the brutal attack. She tested positively for cocaine being in her system and the girl's DNA was found on her stepfather. A knife was found in the 36-year-old's van, Weiner said.

He previously told the court he took the 14-year-old girl from her home that night alleging she told him she was hungry.

Speaking through a Spanish interpreter, the 36-year-old maintained his innocence. His attorney Scott Finkenauer told Superior Court Judge John Young his client said he was pressured into accepting the plea deal. Finkenauer asked for a 10-year sentence while Weiner asked for 15 years.

Young said the 36-year-old's proclamation of innocence is a case of "buyer's remorse" and told him "it's time to accept responsibility."

"That's not the way the justice system works," Young said. "You terrorized this child, you held a knife to her. With all your explanations (you still have) failed to explain how her DNA wound up on you. I'm sure you have some excuse for that also."

The man must serve 85 percent of his term, roughly 11 years, before becoming eligible for release. Additionally, he will spend the rest of his life on parole once released and he must register as a sex offender.

Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.