A Lowell man who admitted to sexually molesting a co-worker's 12-year-old daughter was sentenced Tuesday to 16 months in prison.
Assistant Washington County Prosecutor Kevin Rings said Anthony Williams, 34, was staying at a Devola residence with two individuals he worked with when he entered the child's bedroom around 5 a.m. May 17.
"She was asleep and awakened by Williams sitting on the edge of her bed," Rings said.
The child ran from the room, but it wasn't before Williams had inappropriately touched her, Rings said.
Williams made no statement at his sentencing, held before Judge Susan Boyer in Washington County Common Pleas Court.
Williams first denied any wrongdoing, but later admitted to the action, according to police. He has been held in the Washington County Jail on $15,000 bond since his May 29 arrest.
Williams agreed to plead guilty July 2 to fourth-degree felony gross sexual imposition. Rings said he could have charged Williams with a third-degree felony.
"After speaking with the child's parents, we agreed a quick resolution was best in this case," Rings said. "(Williams) agreed to plead to a bill of information, which avoided a preliminary hearing, grand jury and trial. It also keeps (the victim) off the witness stand, which is important."
A third-degree felony is punishable by up to five years in prison. On the fourth-degree felony conviction, Williams had faced up to 18 months in prison.
Boyer also designated Williams a Tier 1 sex offender. He will be required to report his address and place of employment with the local sheriff's office for 15 years after prison.
