A sentencing hearing has been set for a Galena man entered a guilty plea to a charge of trespassing and attempted abduction in Delaware County Common Pleas Court.

Vance Timothy Crotty, 18, of 2653 Pointewood Loop, Galena, was scheduled to stand trial on Jan. 6 and face a charge of kidnapping, a second-degree felony; a count of trespass in a habitation, a fourth-degree felony; gross sexual imposition, a fourth-degree felony and a count of assault, a first-degree misdemeanor.

However, on Jan. 5 Crotty appeared in court and entered a guilty plea to the trespass in habitation charge and entered an Alford Plea to a lesser included offense of the kidnapping charge, attempted abduction.

Court documents indicate an Alford Plea means that Crotty is maintaining his innocence but is admitting that the evidence is strong enough that he would likely be found guilty and is taking an Alford Plea to get a lesser sentence.

According to court documents, Crotty entered the home of a Sunbury woman on Oct. 27 and had been asked to leave. Documents allege that Crotty placed his hands around the woman’s throat during the incident.

As part of the plea agreement with prosecutors, the gross sexual imposition and the count of assault were dismissed. Also as part of the plea agreement, prosecutors and Crotty’s defense attorney, Brian Jones, will be recommending that Crotty be admitted to a drug treatment program.

A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for Feb. 10 at 1 p.m.

A Delaware County Grand Jury indicted Crotty on Nov. 18 and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Crotty was taken into custody the following day by Delaware County Sheriff’s deputies.

Crotty also appeared in Delaware Municipal Court for assault and trespassing charges related to the incident as well as a charge of underage consumption of alcohol and a charge of possession of marijuana.

The municipal court charges were dismissed when Crotty was indicted on the felony charges by the grand jury.

Crotty was out on bail Monday.