Great Falls Man Enters Plea in Rape Case

GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) — A Great Falls man who was charged with raping four girls between the ages of 12 and 14 has entered an Alford plea to a charge of sexual intercourse without consent.

The Great Falls Tribune reports (http://gftrib.com/1iFA5HV) 18-year-old Kristian Underdahl entered his plea Friday before District Judge Kenneth Neill. A sentencing date has not been set.

In March, Underdahl pleaded guilty to rape during a separate hearing before District Judge Greg Pinski. Pinski had rejected an Alford plea, under which a defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges prosecutors have enough evidence to gain a conviction.

Under the plea agreements, prosecutors will recommend that Underdahl be sentenced to 10 years in prison, followed by 35 years of probation. Pinski scheduled sentencing for May 7 and has told Underdahl he could hand down a longer sentence.