BORDERLAND

Man accused in rape of 9-year-old girl enters plea

4/15/2014

On the day he was to go on trial, a Toledo man accused of raping a 9-year-old girl instead entered an Alford plea to two counts of rape.

Michael Brown, 38, of 1928 Broadstone Rd. was then found guilty of the charges by Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Gene Zmuda. Brown is expected to be sentenced Wednesday to an agreed-upon term of nine years in prison.

In an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit to committing a crime but acknowledges evidence is sufficient for a conviction that could result in a more severe sentence.

Jennifer Lambdin, an assistant prosecutor, told the court the plea agreement was reached in part to prevent the young victim from having to testify about the rapes that occurred in November and December of 2012.