Jeremy L. Francis, seated, faces a judge in Lewis County Superior Court
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – A 35-year-old Centralia man arrested in November for rape after an encounter that began as consensual but turned violent was sentenced today to 14 months in prison.
Jeremy L. Francis went before a judge this afternoon in Lewis County Superior Court where his attorney and a deputy prosecutor made the agreed recommendation to the judge. Judge Andrew Toynbee went along with their advice.
Lewis County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Will Halstead said the plea deal was made with the approval of the victim. She just wanted to make sure he would have to register as a sex offender, he said.
Francis pleaded guilty last month to third-degree rape. He had been originally charged with second-degree rape.
He was arrested on Nov. 11 after the mother of a 23-year-old woman called 911 to report to Centralia police her daughter had been raped.
Francis was represented by defense attorney Shane O’Rourke. After his release, he will be on community custody for three years.
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For background, read “Centralia man charged with rape, held on $100,000 bail” from Tuesday November 14, 2017, here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter