Man accepts 12 years in prison for sex crime

A rural Vandalia man accused of having sex with a minor female has agreed to go to prison.

Robert E. Danford, 32, accepted a 12-year prison term in pleading guilty to a charge of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child last Thursday in Fayette County Circuit Court.

Danford entered an Alford plea of guilty, which means that he agreed that the prosecution had sufficient evidence to convict him.

According to state statute, Danford will have to serve at least 85 percent of the sentence given to him for the Class X felony. Individuals convicted of Class X felonies can be given a prison sentence of up to 30 years; probation is not a sentencing alternative.

Fayette County States Attorney Stephen Friedel charged Danford with predatory criminal sexual assault on Nov. 13 of last year.

The charge alleges that he committed a sex act with a female under the age of 13 on or about Nov. 10 of last year.