Lesser Charge For VMI Cadet

LEXINGTON, Va. (AP) -- A former Virginia Military Institute cadet charged with sexually assaulting a female classmate has been convicted of a lesser charge.

Rockbridge County prosecutor Robert Joyce says a rape charge against Stephen J. Lloyd of Mason Neck was reduced to misdemeanor sexual battery Tuesday. He entered an Alford plea, acknowledging enough evidence for a conviction but not admitting guilt.

Joyce says a sodomy charge was dismissed. He says Circuit Court Judge Michael Irvine delayed imposing a sentence for three years. If Lloyd stays out of trouble, the case will be closed.

The maximum sentence is a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.

The woman testified at a preliminary hearing that Lloyd assaulted her in a campus storage room in March.