Security officers subdue guilty man in Adrian case

5/21/2009

ADRIAN A Defiance man was subdued yesterday by authorities in a Lenawee County courtroom after a jury returned guilty verdicts against him in the sex assault of a preteen girl.

Richard Whatman, 35, was tackled by police and brought under control in Circuit Court, where he was on trial for raping a 12-year-old girl in July, 2006.

Whatman was found guilty of a single count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. Sentencing is set for July 1.