ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Malik Keanu Ronshun Thompson, 25, was sentenced to 96-236 months in North Carolina prison for a second-degree forcible sex offense and the second-degree forcible rape of a 15-year-old girl.

North Carolina Superior Court Judge Alan Z. Thornburg sentenced Thompson to two consecutive sentences of 48-118 months in the custody of the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, or 96-236 months total, after which he must register as a lifetime sex offender. He is bound by a permanent judicial no-contact order that prohibits any future contact with the victim.

Thompson was convicted following an incident that began on the social media app Snapchat. Thompson, who used the username “free carts 4 head,” picked up the victim and drove her to a Hendersonville Road hotel, where he attempted to rent a room.

“When the hotel manager refused to rent a room to Thompson because of his age, he drove to an apartment complex parking lot, where he subjected the victim to non-consensual sexual acts. Thompson overcame the victim’s physical resistance and verbal refusals by both threatening her and by using force,” the Buncombe County District Attorney’s Office said in a release.

The victim reported the assault, and Asheville Police Department investigators were able to identify Thompson by analyzing a video screenshot taken inside the car by the victim. The image helped identify the make and model of the vehicle, which APD officers were able to link to Thompson through subscriber records provided by search warrants served on Snapchat. A forensic medical examination also recovered DNA that matched Thompson’s.

Further technical assistance was provided by Federal Bureau of Investigation agents, who analyzed historic cellular location data to confirm that Thompson’s phone and the victim’s phone traveled to every location described by the victim.

After the assault, Thompson left North Carolina, but FBI agents were able to apprehend him in Cincinnati, Ohio, after which he was extradited to Buncombe County for prosecution.

Thompson was originally charged with statutory rape and statutory sex offense, but after consultation with and agreement from the victim, her parents and others, the DA’s office agreed to accept guilty pleas to the reduced charges of second-degree forcible rape and second-degree forcible sex offense.

“This conviction reflects seamless collaboration among the Asheville Police Department, the FBI and the State Crime Lab. From digital forensics and DNA analysis to cellular tracking and apprehension, law enforcement partners built a strong case, removing a dangerous offender from our community and securing accountability under North Carolina law,” Buncombe County District Attorney Todd Williams said in a statement.

The case was prosecuted on behalf of the State of North Carolina by Assistant District Attorney Amy Buchanan.