Oakdale Man Pleads Guilty to Criminal Sexual Conduct

An Oakdale man pleaded guilty Monday to one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct for allegedly having sex with a 14-year-old girl multiple times.

Gerald E. Briggs, 65, , between September of 2010 and March of 2011, according to the Washington County District Court Complaint.

Briggs takes “full responsibility for his actions,” said his attorney Samuel Surface.

“He certainly does not want to put the victim through the pain and stress of going through a trial,” Surface said, “and he doesn’t want to tear his family apart either.”

Surface said Briggs is “extremely remorseful,” and that a clinical assessment shows he’s not a danger to the public.

Briggs is scheduled for sentencing Jan. 27 of next year.

Prosecutor Steve Norton said he'll seek a sentence of 12 years, in accordance with sentencing guidelines. Briggs was offered a plea agreement for a 12-year sentence, however he didn't accept it, Norton said.

Surface said he will ask for a shorter sentence.