Laramie Man Admits To Sexual Relationship With A Minor

A Laramie man is admitting to having a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old girl.

Corwin Patrick Bernard, 22, pleaded guilty in Albany County District Court today to one count of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in the Third Degree.

Bernard was originally charged with three counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in the Second Degree, but those charges were amended to a single count of the third degree charge as part of a plea agreement.

Prosecutors told District Court Jeffrey Donnell that if the case went to trial, they would have presented evidence showing that Bernard had a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old girl.

In April, Bernard appeared before Donnell to plead guilty to the same charge with a plea agreement under the same conditions. Donnell, however, refused to accept the guilty plea after Bernard said he thought the girl was 17-years-old when the sexual contact took place.

At this hearing, though, Bernard admitted to engaging in sexual intercourse with the girl and acknowledged that he knew she was only 13 years old at the time.

Donnell accepted Bernard’s plea and ordered him remanded into custody.

Bernard faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. His sentencing date has not been set.