Rape suspect pleads to sexual misconduct

FLORENCE - A man who was going to be tried this week on a Lauderdale County rape charge instead pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct Friday, authorities said.

Clarence Thompson, 44, Florence, pleaded to the misdemeanor, Assistant District Attorney Coty Hand said.

His trail was scheduled on charges of first-degree rape, first-degree sexual abuse and first-degree sodomy, according to court records, but Hand said prosecutors agreed to the plea after conversations with the victim.

"We entered into this agreement to try to keep the victim from having to relive the trauma of the past," he said.

The case involved an incident that occurred 22 years ago, according to court records. He was indicted in 2021.

Under the agreement, Thompson will serve a 12-monthr suspended sentence on the sexual misconduct conviction, Hand said. He also also pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of a controlled substance and will serve a two-year suspended sentence on those convictions.