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Retired NFL Hall of Famer, Lawrence Taylor, was in the midst of a scandal mid-last year when he was arrested and accused of the rape of a minor. But not until this week did the former star linebacker finally face the music.
As a part of a plea deal, Taylor reportedly pled guilty to two misdemeanor charges in court Thursday (January 13) in New York, stemming from a May 2010 arrest for felony statutory rape.
He is expected to be sentenced to six years of probation, and must register as a sex offender. He's also been ordered to pay $1,300 in fees.
Taylor pleaded guilty to one count of soliciting a prostitute and a second count of sexual misconduct in having sex with a woman without consent, in his Thursday court appearance.
Since the victim in the case was 16, by law, she was not old enough to give consent.
Sentencing is set for March 22, during which the level of sex offender status Taylor will have will be determined by the judge.
In court, Taylor admitted that he had sex with a 16-year-old and he said that he was aware that results of a DNA test identified him. However, he claims -- as he has since the arrest -- that she told him otherwise.
"She told me she was 19," he said.
In New York, ignorance of a person's age is not a defense against statutory rape, said reports. The age of consent in New York is 17.
The former NFL star was originally arrested in early May of last year at the Holiday Inn in Montebello, New York. Authorites said a 16-year-old victim led them to a hotel room occupied by Taylor, whom she alleged was forced into prostitution with by Rasheed Davis.
At the time of the arrest, Taylor told officers that "he had no idea the girl was underage."
In reponse, the offier said: "ignorance is not an excuse to an individual's age."
Taylor originally pleaded not guilty to charges of third-degree rape, patronizing a prostitute and endangering the welfare of a child. The original charge carried a maximum of four years in jail.
He posted a $75,000 bail later that day.
As an NFL player, Taylor led the Giants to two Super Bowl titles, in 1987 and 1991. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999.
As a part of a plea deal, Taylor reportedly pled guilty to two misdemeanor charges in court Thursday (January 13) in New York, stemming from a May 2010 arrest for felony statutory rape.
He is expected to be sentenced to six years of probation, and must register as a sex offender. He's also been ordered to pay $1,300 in fees.
Taylor pleaded guilty to one count of soliciting a prostitute and a second count of sexual misconduct in having sex with a woman without consent, in his Thursday court appearance.
Since the victim in the case was 16, by law, she was not old enough to give consent.
Sentencing is set for March 22, during which the level of sex offender status Taylor will have will be determined by the judge.
In court, Taylor admitted that he had sex with a 16-year-old and he said that he was aware that results of a DNA test identified him. However, he claims -- as he has since the arrest -- that she told him otherwise.
"She told me she was 19," he said.
In New York, ignorance of a person's age is not a defense against statutory rape, said reports. The age of consent in New York is 17.
The former NFL star was originally arrested in early May of last year at the Holiday Inn in Montebello, New York. Authorites said a 16-year-old victim led them to a hotel room occupied by Taylor, whom she alleged was forced into prostitution with by Rasheed Davis.
At the time of the arrest, Taylor told officers that "he had no idea the girl was underage."
In reponse, the offier said: "ignorance is not an excuse to an individual's age."
Taylor originally pleaded not guilty to charges of third-degree rape, patronizing a prostitute and endangering the welfare of a child. The original charge carried a maximum of four years in jail.
He posted a $75,000 bail later that day.
As an NFL player, Taylor led the Giants to two Super Bowl titles, in 1987 and 1991. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999.
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