Man convicted of sex offense asking to withdraw plea

Saying that he was threatened into pleading guilty to a sex offense last month, a Brownstown man now wants to withdraw that plea.
Lloyd W. Merkley, 62, pleaded guilty at the end of October to a charge of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child.
Through a plea agreement, Merkley agreed to a 10-year prison sentence. A Class X felony, predatory criminal sexual assault is punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
Under Illinois law, Merkley would be required to serve at least 85 percent of the 10-year sentence.

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