ROSEAU, Minn. - A convicted felon from northern Minnesota has been sentenced to 30 days in jail for illegally casting a ballot in last November's presidential election.

Eric Stephen Willems, 25, of Warroad initially was charged with a felony for being an ineligible voter who knowingly cast a ballot.

But under a deal, Willems pleaded guilty to a lesser charge, a gross misdemeanor version of illegal voting.

He was sentenced in Roseau County Monday to a year in jail with all but 30 days stayed for three years. He also was ordered to serve three years of supervised probation after he's released.

Willems spent four years in prison for having sex with his 15-year-old girlfriend. He said earlier he must have forgotten being told when he was released from prison that he couldn't vote.

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Information from: Grand Forks Herald, http://www.grandforksherald.com