Guilty plea in rape case

The Daily Inter Lake

A man who was arrested in November 2004 on a rape warrant pleaded guilty Thursday.

Larry Vanalstine, 35, entered an Alford plea to a charge of sexual assault. The plea maintains his assertion that he is innocent, but concedes that he likely would be found guilty at trial. A second charge of sexual intercourse without consent was dropped in a plea agreement.

According to the criminal complaint, Vanalstine engaged in sexual activity with a 10-year-old girl in November 2003. A warrant was issued for his arrest and he was found a year later in Idaho, where he was arrested.

Prosecutors may recommend a 40-year sentence, with 20 suspended. Vanalstine could be sentenced to as long as 100 years or life in prison.

District Judge Stewart Stadler took the plea Thursday.

Vanalstine is represented by public defender Glen Neier. He is prosecuted by County Attorney Ed Corrigan and Deputy County Attorney Lori Adams, who said that DNA is among the evidence in the case.

Sentencing is scheduled April 27.