Probation on rape charge

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - A former state trooper who had been charged with raping a female acquaintance has pleaded guilty to four misdemeanors and has been sentenced to 10 years' probation.

Richard Keener, 40, of Bellefonte, pleaded guilty Wednesday to simple assault, unlawful restraint, indecent assault and disorderly conduct, the Clinton County Court Administrator's office said. Judge J. Michael Williamson also ordered Keener to pay a $1,000 fine and have no contact with the woman.

The plea deal allowed Keener to avoid a trial scheduled to start yesterday.

"I lost my job and my career," Keener said in court. "I'm in bankruptcy. . . . This is more than a reasonable sentence."

He asked forgiveness from his family and the woman, who was in the courtroom. "I'm sorry for anything that caused you harm," he said.

Keener was stationed at the state police barracks in Lamar when he was charged last year with felony rape and sexual assault for the encounter with the woman while off duty in May 2006.

He met the woman and a female friend at a bar in Lock Haven before accompanying them to the woman's apartment early the next morning, authorities said. Keener had consumed a "significant amount of alcohol," according to a statement last year from Attorney General Tom Corbett's office.

The case was referred by Clinton County District Attorney Ted McKnight's office to the attorney general because McKnight had worked with Keener on prior prosecutions. *