Staff Writer
ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Christopher Moneypenny’s motion to withdraw his guilty plea to the first degree felony rape of a child was overruled Tuesday, and he will be sentenced this Monday.
Belmont County Common Pleas Judge John Vavra heard the arguments and made the ruling.
“He previously entered a plea of guilty to rape charge, and was now, prior to being sentenced, asked the judge to be able to withdraw that plea. We obviously argued against it,” Belmont County Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan said afterward.
Flanagan said Moneypenny, 37, of 151 Allen Avenue, Parkview Apartments, Powhatan Point, faces a maximum of 11 years in prison.