MARQUETTE — Eric Scott Ruska, 37, was sentenced to life in prison Friday on charges of kidnapping and aggravated sexual abuse for the July abduction and sexual assault of a 28-year-old Cooks woman.

U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. Jonker, who ruled on the case after hearing a statement from the victim, said he had no choice but impose a life sentence.

“Public protection cries out for a life sentence,” Jonker said in part. “We have a pattern of escalating conduct, it was never good, but it got worse. And a long state sentence did not stop the conduct.”

Ruska pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping and three counts of aggravated sexual abuse in November.

Ruska was apprehended without incident around 4:30 a.m. on July 14 at a 24-hour Shell gas station in Munising several days after kidnapping the victim. Police found the woman in Ruska’s truck, ratchet-strapped to the front seat, court documents state.

Ruska was held accountable at the federal level due to some of his alleged criminal activity took place in the Hiawatha National Forest.

Jonker said Ruska’s prior conviction for third-degree criminal sexual conduct and kidnapping in 2004 was a mitigating factor in the sentencing. Ruska had been released from prison in December 2015.

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. Her email address is lbowers@miningjournal.net.