Rape Charge Dropped Against Easton Man

An Easton man is expected to plead guilty to sexually assaulting a woman in his apartment last year.

But Thomas Alvin III will avoid any major prison time after prosecutors dropped two of the more serious charges against him: rape and aggravated indecent assault, which are both first degree felonies.

Alvin, 24, of the 800 block of Bushkill Street, will likely plead guilty to two misdemeanor offenses, simple assault and indecent assault. He waived those charges Tuesday in a hearing before in Easton.

Defense attorney Philip Lauer said Alvin will plead guilty at his arraignment in county court, if not sooner. 

Assistant District Attorney Patricia Broscius said there wasn't evidence to prove the more serious charges against Alvin relating to the incident on Dec. 17, 2010.

Both she and Lauer agreed to a 6-12 month jail sentence for Alvin.

Broscius said the woman Alvin is accused of assaulting wants at least year so she can get her affairs in order "and distance herself from him." Lauer told the judge that if the plea deal falls apart, prosecutors will refile the charges against him.