By Jeff Lehr

jlehr@joplinglobe.com

NEOSHO, Mo. — A Newton County judge sentenced an 18-year-old man to five years in prison Tuesday for having a sexual relationship a year ago with a 13-year-old girl.

Corey Geldean, of rural Diamond, pleaded guilty May 19 to a charge of second-degree statutory rape in a plea agreement with the Newton County prosecutor’s office that limited the prison time he might be required to serve to no more than five years. Second-degree statutory rape carries up to seven years in prison in Missouri.

Circuit Judge Tim Perigo sentenced the defendant to a sexual offender-assessment unit in the Missouri Department of Corrections, with the possibility that he could be placed on probation within 120 days if he is determined not to be a continuing threat to society.

Missouri law defines sexual intercourse with anyone younger than 14 as first-degree statutory rape, which can carry from five years to life in prison. Geldean was allowed to plead guilty to the lesser offense of second-degree statutory rape because of his age.

According to a probable-cause affidavit, the girl told investigators with the Newton County Sheriff’s Department that she had consensual sexual intercourse with the defendant about five times in July and August of last year. The affidavit states that the girl acknowledged having had a conversation with Geldean concerning how he might get in trouble, because of her age, if anyone knew they were having sex.

Geldean told investigators that they had sex four times and each time was consensual. He also acknowledged knowing that she was 13 and that he could get in trouble with the law, according to the affidavit.

Offender’s age

Corey Geldean was 17 at the time of the offense.