Elliott accepts a plea agreement, sentencing scheduled Aug. 2
Former Central Michigan University Student Government Association President Ian Elliott will plead no contest to one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct in two cases of sexual assault.
Two additional counts in one case, along with a charge in the second case, will be dismissed. Elliott's sentencing is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. Aug. 2, 2019.
During a settlement conference June 24, Elliott and the two women seeking charges against him reached a plea agreement, according to the Isabella County Trial Court. Along with the no contest plea, the agreement calls for a minimum sentence of one year and one day in prison. Elliott will also have to register as a sex offender in the state of Michigan.
In Michigan a no contest plea is not an admission of guilt. The no contest plea means the defendant does not wish to to contest the state's case and agrees to the imposition of a sentence. According to a press release from Isabella County Prosecutor Joseph Barberi, when a no contest plea is accepted, the defendant can be sentenced as though they had plead guilty or been found guilty of the charge.
In the first case, which was filed by the Michigan Attorney General's office Dec. 20, Elliott was facing two counts of criminal sexual conduct of the third degree and one count of assault with intent to commit penetration. He was accused of sexually assaulting graduate student Rachel Wilson on Aug. 31, 2016.
The second case was filed by alumna Landrea Blackmore after the Attorney General's office found "sufficient evidence" to charge Elliott with third-degree criminal sexual conduct.
The Michigan Attorney General's office said both victims will make victim impact statements at Elliott's sentencing.
This article will be updated as information becomes available.
