An Alford plea has been entered in the criminal case against a Viola man. 43-year-old David Lee Richardson was originally facing Class X and Class 1 felonies in a sex assault investigation.
The charges involved a child under the age of 13.
He entered the Alford plea Tuesday in Mercer County Circuit Court to a criminal sexual abuse count.
Richardson was placed on 24-months’ probation and sentenced to 180 days in the county jail with credit for time served. He must also register as a sex offender and have no contact with the victim.
Richardson was released Tuesday. He had been in custody on $200,000 bond since his arrest last January.
In an Alford plea, the defendant acknowledges that the prosecution has enough evidence to convict them, but does not admit to committing the offense.