Defendant Admits Selling Crack In Missing Girl Case, Gets Up To One Year In Jail: Report

RIVERSIDE, NY — Another defendant who pleaded guilty in the case of the 14-year-old Long Island girl investigators found was involved in sex trafficking while missing for 25 days, has been sentenced to under one year in jail, in an agreement sparing the girl from testifying, Newsday reported.

Ralph Knowles, 63, of Bay Shore, faced a top charge of second-degree attempted rape, but pleaded guilty to a single count of endangering the welfare of a child, instead getting 364 days, which is the maximum sentence for the class A misdemeanor, according to the outlet.

Patch has reached out to the DA's office.

His defense attorney, Chase Brown of Central Islip, told Newsday that his client intends to go to trial on the rape charge that is connected to the case.

Brown could not be immediately reached.

Brown previously told Patch that his client "maintains his innocence, and is looking forward to receiving his discovery and his day in court."

For more in Newsday, click here.

Editor's note: The teen's name is being withheld to protect her identity as a minor.