A former U.S. Air Force major, who was working as a rocket science program manager for the Air Force, pleaded guilty this week to soliciting sex with a minor. The man allegedly had a number of internet conversations in 2007 with an undercover police officer who was posing as a 14-year-old girl. At some point, these conversations allegedly turned to the man meeting the “minor” at a local Utah mall for a sexual encounter.
The man’s guilty plea was to one count of enticement of a minor, which is a class A misdemeanor. A class A misdemeanor carries the potential penalty of up to one year in prison. In this particular case, the man entered a Sery Plea, which is an admittance of guilt with an additional intent to challenge the statute of limitations law in Utah. A Sery Plea means that an individual pleads guilty while maintaining the right to appeal a court’s verdict on a specific matter.
Photo: Brian Rosner
Hiring an attorney with a strong legal background of being able to handle challenging complicated laws is an absolute necessity when a person is facing criminal charges in Utah. There are numerous questions that arise when you are dealing with a court of law, so it makes sense to have legal representation of the finest caliber. Look for an attorney who has criminal law and criminal court experience, as well as who is well-versed in Utah state law. You need someone helping you who will be your defender at this difficult time. Don’t worry about the prosecution; they have practically unlimited resources available at their disposal. Protect yourself.
