An Alabama man pleaded guilty today to obscenity charges and faces a two-year prison sentence for rubbing his genitals on an unconscious LSU fan in a Bourbon Street restaurant after the BCS national title game in January. Prosecutors reached a plea deal with Brian H. Downing of Smith Station, Ala., this morning, just before his trial was to begin on charges including sexual battery, which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Prosecutors agreed to drop the battery charge. Downing is scheduled to be formally sentenced on Nov. 29, but Orleans Parish Criminal District Judge Karen Herman indicated she will sentence Downing to two years in prison and recommend his participation in a boot camp program run by prison officials. Downing will not be required to register as a sex offender. Michael Kennedy, one of Downing’s attorneys, says his client decided to accept the deal in large part because he has a 1-year-old son and didn’t want to have to register as a sex offender. Although Downing will be sentenced to two years, he may be eligible to serve less than half of that. Kennedy estimated his client will serve a minimum of nine months. The full story is available here.
Ala. man pleads guilty in post-BCS video case, faces 2 years in prison
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