BAY MINETTE, Ala. — A Bay Minette man was sentenced to life in prison Thursday for allegedly raping a female after the two smoked pot in her car July 20, 2008, according to Circuit Court documents.

Joe Nathan Thomas, 31, of Means Avenue, was convicted in February. He received an enhanced sentence under the Habitual Offender Act based on two prior felony convictions, according to court records.

Defense attorney Cali Armstrong filed oral notice of appeal, following the sentence by Circuit Judge James Reid.

Thomas was arrested within hours of the incident, after Bay Minette police interviewed the victim at North Baldwin Infirmary, according to court testimony.

Prosecutor Patrick Prendergast said the victim received a call from Thomas about 2 a.m. to drive around town to purchase and smoke marijuana.

The two smoked and talked in the car for a few hours before Thomas made sexual advances.

Prendergast said Thomas attempted forcible sex in the car, but the two fell out of the open driver’s side door.

“He throws her down, drags her to a park swing, then rapes her,” the prosecutor said.

The victim testified she hit Thomas several times during the struggle and finally became tired.

After the alleged sexual assault, the victim testified she gathered her clothes, heard Thomas yell, “Don’t tell on me,” then drove to North Baldwin Infirmary.

During the trial, Armstrong argued that the two had an ongoing relationship and that she had called Thomas, and the two had been together since about 10:30 p.m.

Armstrong said no semen was found during a hospital exam and that during an interview two hours after the alleged incident, Thomas requested a DNA test.