A judge Monday sentenced a Dilworth man to 12 years in prison for molesting a girl under the age of 13 in December.
Kevin Earl Winegeart, 44, earlier pleaded guilty in Clay County District Court to one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, admitting that he touched a young girl in appropriately.
At a sentencing hearing Monday, Winegeart's attorney, Peter Karlsson, asked Judge Wally Senyk to depart from the 144-month sentence called for under state guidelines and give Winegeart 48 months instead.
It was stated in court that Winegeart admitted to the incident after it was reported and cooperated fully with investigators.
Clay County Attorney Lisa Borgen opposed Karlsson's request, stating there were no legal grounds for a departure from sentencing guidelines.
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Winegeart then addressed Senyk, stating, "I do recognize what I've done was extremely wrong.
"I do wish you would have the mercy of granting some of type of departure," Winegeart added.
For a moment, it appeared the judge would do just that.
Senyk pronounced a 96-month sentence, but stated nearly in the same breath that he was retracting the sentence "because I cannot support it by law."
Senyk then imposed the 144-month sentence called for under state guidelines.
Unless they get into trouble in prison, inmates in Minnesota are released after serving two-thirds of their time, meaning Winegeart could be released after serving eight years.
