A Springfield man accused of sexually assaulting a mentally challenged Norwalk teenager pleaded guilty Friday to an amended count of attempted sexual battery.
The original charge stems from a July 16 incident at a Norwalk mobile home investigated by Huron County Sheriff's Detective Bill Duncan. At the time, John L. McBride Jr. 29, of Springfield, reportedly was visiting his girlfriend.
Deputies have said McBride entered the victim's home through her bedroom window, held her down and had sex with her. McBride is believed to have left through the same window.
"It's not a question of force here," Huron County Prosecutor Russell Leffler when asked why a rape charge was not filed against McBride. He added McBride talked the victim "into doing something and he should have known that she wasn't surely competent. He has a guardian himself."
A sexual assault nurse examiner found evidence of trauma after she examined the woman at the Nord Center in Lorain County. Deputies collected evidence and sent it to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation for processing.
McBride is scheduled to be sentenced at Dec. 4. He could face up to 18 months in prison and lifetime registration as a Tier III sexual offender, meaning he would have to register his address every 90 days for life. If he changes his address, he would be prohibited from living within 1,000 feet of a school or day care center.
McBride was released from the Huron County Jail per a court order on a promise to return for his sentencing hearing.
Comments
"holding her down and having sex with her"-Why not just call it what it is, RAPE! OMG, is he being charged with "holding her down and having sex with her"? "an amended count of attempted sexual battery." Well did he rape her or not? A mentally impaired teen and this guy will probably only do 3 months. Sickening. Our justice system serves the lawyers and judges but not the victims.
Our justice system is failing us. Stop the plea bargains. Put rapist and child molestors in jail for the maximum time. So tired of seeing these people let go.
EPIC FAIL of our system!!!
This honorable, trustworthy man was released from jail "on the promise he would return for his sentencing hearing"
Anyone else see a problem with this??
Come on, what happened to victims rights???
The victim is "mentally challenged" - This makes his crime all the more heinous for preying on one of the most vulnerable in society. Shouldn't the courts be the ones to protect her and not minimze the actions of her perpetrator?!? The return of vigilante justice is on the horizon...
He looks like he's takin' nappies. Shhhush. Don't wake him up.
Looks like Leffler is per his usual, if it isn't a slam dunk the criminal gets reduced charges.
Smdh!!!