Heavyweight boxer pleads guilty to rape
June 20, 2007
Adapted from the Reading Eagle
A heavyweight boxer pleaded guilty in county court to raping a 12-year-old girl in his residence in 2005.
The 21-year-old was ordered to undergo an evaluation under the state’s Megan’s law to determine if he is a violent sexual predator.
If so, he will be required to undergo counseling and register his address with state police for the remainder of his life.
Investigators said he was 19 when he had sexual relations with the girl in his residence.
Authorities said he picked up the girl at her school and drove to his residence.
He faces a mandatory five- to 10-year sentence.
His lawyer said the incident did not involve threats or compulsion.
His lawyer said he will continue boxing until he is sentenced.
He has been free on $10,000 bail since his arrest more than two years ago.
Meanwhile, he also is accused of selling marijuana three different days in 2004 to undercover officers.
He was billed as the next “Great White Hope” in professional heavyweight boxing.
He had run his record to 10-0 with seven knockouts and was scheduled to appear in his first televised fight last week.
Boxing officials said the fight was canceled at the last minute when he informed them that he could not get another extension of his court hearing. |
