BELLEFONTE, Pa. — Former Creston High School and Penn State wrestler Andrew Long, who had been accused of attempted rape, pleaded guilty Monday to a lesser charge that will have him serve time in the Centre County jail.
Long, 23, a three-time state champion at Creston, opted to avoid trial and plead guilty to a felony count of aggravated indecent assault. His plea came while he was in court for jury selection Monday.
As part of the deal with the Centre County District Attorney’s Office, Long will serve a sentence of one year, minus a day, to two years, minus a day, in the Centre County Correctional Facility. A felony count of attempted rape, the most serious charge against Long, was withdrawn.
When Long is released, he’ll have to serve five years probation.
Long’s attorney, Tony DeBoef, could not be reached for comment Monday.
Long left the Penn State wrestling team in August after State College police arrested him and charged him with the attempted rape of a 55-year-old woman who was the mother of a Penn State student. Police said Long got in bed with the woman, who was sleeping, took off her underwear and touched her.
Long pleaded guilty in front of Judge Bradley P. Lunsford, who ordered a presentence investigation before the sentencing hearing scheduled for Aug. 30.
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Up to now
Andrew Long won state titles at Creston High School in 2006, 2007 and 2008 and had a 180-13 career record. He was then recruited to Iowa State by former Cyclone four-time undefeated NCAA champion Cael Sanderson. After Long’s redshirt freshman season, Sanderson took the head coaching job at Penn State.
Long remained at ISU and finished second in the nation at 125 pounds to fellow in-state freshman Matt McDonough of the University of Iowa.
Long was arrested on a pair of alcohol-related offenses while in Ames, and ISU coach Kevin Jackson dismissed Long from the squad after the second arrest. After receiving a release from his scholarship, Long left ISU to reunite with Sanderson at Penn State.
In his first season at Penn State, Long won the Big 10 title at 133 pounds and finished third at the NCAA Championships in Philadelphia. Long was arrested on more alcohol-related charges in April 2010, including public intoxication and possession of a fake ID. Long was then charged in August 2011 for attempted rape.