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Troy Ambrose, at left, with his attorney, David Glancy.
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor.
LUDINGTON — A 21-year-old Fountain man is looking at serving one year in jail after pleading guilty Wednesday, Oct. 7, in 51st Circuit Court to attempted third-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC).
Troy Leland Ambrose and James Philbrick Gigante, 49, of Victory Township were arrested by deputies and detectives from the Mason County Sheriff’s Office following a seven-month investigation.
Ambrose, who was initially charged with third-degree CSC — person 13-15 years of age (15-year maximum); accosting children for immoral purposes (four-year maximum); and using computers to commit a crime (four to 10 year maximum), pleaded guilty to an added fourth count Wednesday of attempted third-degree CSC, which has a five-year maximum.
In exchange for Ambrose’s guilty plea, the other three counts were dismissed.
Gigante faces charges of accosting children for immoral purposes; possession of child sexually abusive material; and using a computer to commit a crime. He is scheduled for a final conference hearing in circuit court Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 1:45 p.m.
Both men were arrested last July and are free on bond.
Ambrose’s plea agreement calls for one year in jail; registering as a sex offender; and forfeiture of his technology devices.
Ambrose testified that the incident occurred in Riverton Township in 2014 when he attempted to engage in sexual penetration with a girl between 13 and 16 years old.
“She contacted me and asked me if I wanted to come over,” he told Judge Susan K. Sniegowski. “I came over, and I tried to fool around.”
“You attempted to have sexual intercourse with her?” Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola asked. “Yes,” he answered.
Sentencing is set for Nov. 17 at 2:30 p.m.
