A Liberty Township man has pleaded guilty to one count of sexual misconduct with a minor, in connection with an incident at his home in April 2007.

Brian J. Norlington, 48, is facing a prison term of six to 20 years for the Class B felony under a straight plead-and-argue agreement, Porter County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Cheryl Polarek told the Chesterton Tribune on Monday. A second charge, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a Class A misdemeanor, was dropped, she said.

According to the Porter County Sheriffs’ Police, the parents of a teenaged girl reported that Norlington had initiated sexual contact with their daughter on April 13 while she was staying at Norlington’s home at 915 Tiller Drive to watch his younger children while his wife was out of town.

The victim advised that Norlington provided her with alcohol and marijuana prior to initiating contact, police said. The victim later returned home and reported what had happened to her mother, and in an interview with an investigator Norlington subsequently admitted having had sexual contact with the girl, police said.

As part of the plea, Norlington will be required to register as a convicted sex offender, submit to HIV testing, and undergo treatment, Polarek said.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. April 4 before Porter Superior Court Judge Bill Alexa.

Posted 1/29/2008