Alva Review-Courier -

Phillip Dwayne Persinger, 53, has now been cleared of charges of second degree rape, lewd molestation(both felonies), and sodomy as of his court hearing with District Judge Justin Eilers on Feb. 27.

Persinger accepted a plea deal in which he entered a plea of nolo contendre (no contest) to a new felony charge of child abuse by injury and the previous charges were dismissed. He waived his right to the two-judge rule, the 48-hour rule and a preliminary hearing.

As part of the deal, Persinger received a 10-year suspended sentence on the new charge with a fine and court costs of $10,531.99. Persin...