Man sentenced for assault of mentally disabled woman
A Clay Township man who sexually assaulted a mentally disabled woman will spend 3 to 10 years in state prison.
Gary W. Plunkard, 45, pleaded guilty to aggravated indecent assault and corruption of minors. He was sentenced Thursday by Butler County Judge William Shaffer.
According to court records, Plunkard assaulted the woman, who is in her 20s, in the summer of 2015, while at her home helping to make repairs.
Initially, Plunkard faced additional charges including rape and rape of a mentally disabled person. Those charges were dismissed as part of a plea arrangement with the Butler County District Attorney’s Office.
Plunkard, who already has been jailed for 378 days awaiting resolution of this case, will receive credit against his sentence for those days.
Court officials said Plunkard already was evaluated by a member of the state’s Sexual Offender Assessment Board who determined he does not meet the criteria to be deemed a sexually violent offender.
However, under the state law, Plunkard still must register his whereabouts with state police for the rest of his life.
During court Thursday, neither the defendant nor the victim spoke.