NFL legend Lawrence Taylor was sentenced to six years probation in New York on March 22 after pleading guilty to sexual misconduct.
The 52-year-old Pro Football Hall of Famer was first indicted during summer 2010 on felony charges of third-degree statutory rape and third-degree patronization for allegedly paying a 16-year-old girl $300 to have sex with him. He initially pleaded not guilty and faced up to five years in prison if convicted, but eventually took a bargain deal in January, pleading guilty to the misdemeanors charges of sexual misconduct and patronizing a prostitute.
As a part of his deal, Taylor admitted that he paid for sex with the now 17-year-old girl, but maintains that she lied about her age, claiming she was 19.
The girl, whose name has not been released to the public, also appeared in court March 22 to give a victim statement, but the judge didn’t allow her because victim statements aren’t permitted during misdemeanor charge hearings.
USAToday.com reports that Prosecutor Arthur Ferraro said that Taylor’s sentence of only probation with no jail time was mainly facilitated because Taylor agreed to aid federal officials with information regarding their investigations into human trafficking.
Reports have Taylor appearing in New York court again on April 12 to be officially registered as a sex offender. A hearing will be held to determine what registry level he will be assigned to.