FARMINGTON — A Jay man pleaded no contest Friday to sexually abusing a girl younger than 14 and threatening to murder her and family members if she told anyone.

Justice William Stokes found Dwight Stanley, 53, guilty of felony unlawful sexual contact and misdemeanor terrorizing.

Conviction on the sexual contact charge carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

The state dismissed three other charges, including two felony counts of gross sexual assault.

The incidents occurred between Oct. 1, 2014, and June 30, 2015. 

Jay police arrested Stanley in August 2015 after the Police Department received a complaint and Detective Michael Mejia investigated. The girl was interviewed by a representative of the Children’s Advocacy Center.

Sentencing was continued to Friday, Sept. 16, at Franklin County Superior Court.

The agreement on a sentence is for 10 years in prison with all but two years suspended and four years of probation, Assistant District Attorney Claire Andrews told the court.

Stanley will not be allowed contact with the victim or her family, and children under age 18 unless permission is granted by his probation officer. He also will have to undergo sex offender treatment to the satisfaction of his probation officer, Andrews said.

He will be prohibited from going to places frequented by children under age 18, including parks. 

The sentence on the terrorizing charge will be six months concurrent with the sexual contact sentence, Andrews said. 

Stanley will have to register with the state as a sex offender.

dperry@sunjournal.com

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