Over the course of four interviews, 45-year-old Armand Brenneman became more remorseful and began to accept responsibility for indecently touching a 13-year-old girl on four occasions last June, according to a report by New Castle psychologist Cathy Clover.

Before visiting Judge Barry Feudale of Northumberland County sentenced Brenneman Monday to probation, community service and fines, the senior judge said he "gave weight to her (Ms. Clover's) report."

Ms. Clover's report said Brenneman, a former Mercer County Jail guard, was not a pedophile or a sexual predator. She said Brenneman exhibited some "narcissistic traits" and had trouble controlling his impulses, but had no "personality disorders" that compelled him to have sexual contact with a teen-age girl.

The abuses, which did not include intercourse, occurred in Hermitage and Perry Township.

Feudale sentenced Brenneman to 6 years of probation, during which time he will be in a sexual-assault treatment program, and 300 hours of community service. Brenneman was fined $1,500 and ordered to cover all of the victim's potential counseling costs in the future. Feudale said it was a "standard-range sentence."

Members of the victim's family cried as the sentence was read, and one sobbed as she was helped down the courthouse steps after the hearing. Neither Brenneman nor his attorney, David Acker of New Castle, commented as they left the courtroom. Brenneman spoke in court before the sentence was handed down:

"I'm truly sorry for the hurt and pain I've caused to her and her family. I'm truly sorry for the hurt and pain I've caused my children and ex-wife. This has been a long situation. There's been a lot of grief. I caused it. I'm an adult. I was wrong."

Brenneman pleaded guilty in April to 14 counts of indecent assault and four counts of corrupting the morals of a minor. Brenneman resigned from his county job in June, a jail spokeswoman said.

According to presentencing information gathered by the state Board of Probation and Parole:

Brenneman, who had no prior criminal record, said the girl initiated the sexual contact and he described the relationship as "a crush that went out of bounds."

Brenneman said that during an incident in a camper he awoke and started kissing the victim, thinking it was his wife. He said his wife divorced him because of the incidents and he now lives with his father, Mercer County Commissioner Cloyd E. "Gene" Brenneman, at 4180 Thomason Road in South Pymatuning Township. Brenneman makes about $150 a week working for his father on High Point Farm and also does odd construction jobs. He said he started seeing a counselor shortly after the incidents.

Ms. Clover was hand-picked by Acker. "She said he has come a long way," said Acker, who submitted Ms. Clover's report and letters that attested to Brenneman's "good side."

Neither the victim nor her family submitted written statements outlining the effect of the assaults and their aftermath, and they did not testify Monday. Deputy Attorney General Margaret Cassidy described how the assaults were "particularly damaging to this young lady and her family" prior to sentencing and recommended jail time and a lengthy probation.

After the hearing, Ms. Cassidy said, "I was somewhat disappointed with the sentence, but I understand the judge's position." She said she will not appeal.

Feudale said the counts were "merged (Monday) for the purpose of sentencing" and Brenneman was sentenced "on the most serious" counts -- the three for indecent assault. Indecent assault is a second-degree misdemeanor that carries a maximum sentence of 2 years in prison; corruption of minors, a first-degree misdemeanor, carries a maximum of 5 years in prison.

Because of their association with Brenneman's father, the Mercer County District Attorney Child Abuse Sector and Hermitage police last year turned the investigation over to the state Attorney General's Office. County judges also recused themselves from the case. Commissioner Brenneman, Mercer County DA James P. Epstein and President Judge Francis J. Fornelli sit on the Mercer County Prison Board.