A former college football player in Montana received probation following his admission of rape and sexual assault, escaping what could have been a 20-year prison sentence in the process. Derek Nygaard, a 22-year-old former football star at Montana Technical University, avoided a custodial sentence in the city of Butte late last week when a judge ordered him to probation and counseling, and mandated he be put on the sex offenders’ registry for the next six years.
In the process, he avoided what could have been a two-decade prison sentence, getting off at the wishes of… his two victims?! Related: Former Hillsong Church Pastor Accused Of Rape By Junior Staffer The judge in the case, Kurt Krueger, told Nygaard that if he completes the terms of his sentence without further legal troubles, he could even have his conviction expunged from the official records.
However, if Nygaard is unable to complete probation successfully, Krueger was quick to note that the young man could face up to life in prison as a consequence.
According to the Montana Standard, the ex-college football player’s two victims — who were not publicly named by the court or the newspaper outlet — released a statement at the hearing through their attorney, Samm Cox.
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