MALONE - A Fort Covington man avoided a trial after pleading guilty to multiple sex charges in county court on Friday in a plea bargain agreement that will result in him spending almost a decade in state prison.

Martin Lonkey, 50, was sentenced to eight years in prison foloowed by 15 years post-release supervision for two convictions for first-degree rape, one count of third-degree rape and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child. He was also fined $3,000.

Lonkey admitted that he manipulated a young girl into sex over a period of two years, beginning sometime around 2008 when she was approximately 13 years old.

District Attorney Derek Champagne said the plea deal was made after discussions with the victim and her family.

“Because we were able to get extensive post-release supervision and a significant sentence up-front, we felt it was appropriate,” he said, adding that the plea spares the victim from having to testify at trial.

Lonkey pleaded to the charges by Alford plea, which means he maintains his innocence while acknowledging that the evidence against him would likely result in a conviction after a jury trial.

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