Published: September 19, 2008 08:49 am         

Piedmont man awaits sentence in sexual assault after Alford plea

KEYSER, W.Va. — A Piedmont man entered an Alford plea to sexual abuse and sexual assault charges Wednesday in Mineral County Circuit Court.

Michael Lynn Rosier, 43, entered the plea to two counts of first-degree sexual abuse and one count of second-degree sexual assault when he appeared before Judge Andrew Frye, according to Mineral County Prosecuting Attorney Lynn Nelson, who prosecuted the case.

An Alford plea is one in which the defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges that sufficient evidence exists that could result in a conviction.

Frye ordered a presentencing investigation to be performed by the Department of Parole and Probation.

Upon conviction, the charge of first-degree sexual abuse carries a prison term of five to 25 years and the second-degree sexual assault charge a prison term of 10 to 25 years.

Rosier could be sentenced to a minimum of 20 years and a maximum prison term of 75 years, Nelson said.

Rosier, who is represented by Keyser attorneys Nelson Michael and Meredith Haines, remains under house arrest, pending sentencing upon completion of the investigation.

The charges related to crimes committed against three female victims, two of whom were no more than 11 years old at the time. The third victim was between 11 and 16 years old.

The offenses occurred in November and December 2007 at Rosier’s residence, according to court documents.

The investigation was conducted by Piedmont Police Chief Chris Paitsel, resulting in Rosier’s arrest Dec. 13.

Rosier was jailed but was later released on bond. He was jailed again in March after Frye revoked his bond for having inadvertent contact with one of the victims while attending an event at the Country Club Mall in LaVale. Rosier has been jailed on house arrest since then.