A Moorhead man could face a maximum sentence of life in prison after he pleaded guilty to raping a 16-year-old girl and threatening to expose a nude photo of her unless she let him perform sexual acts on her. At a plea hearing in Clay County District Court, William John Earles, 52 pleaded guilty to a charge of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. Earles also pleaded guilty to felony charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of pornographic work by a registered sex offender and using minors in a sexual performance or pornographic work. According to a plea testimony, Earles admitted to using the nude photo to force the girl to engage in sexual acts with him. He also admitted to raping the victim after she tried to resist. Earles trial date has been set for April 10 and his sentencing date is set for May 7.
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