By BOB GIBBINS
TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — A judge ordered a Tahlequah man to spend five years on probation after he pleaded no contest to an assault charge.
Cherokee County prosecutors agreed to amend Randy Studie’s first-degree rape charge to aggravated assault and battery this week in exchange for the plea.
Chief District Judge Bruce Sewell ordered Studie, 29, to serve a suspended five-year sentence, during which time he’ll be supervised by the Department of Corrections.
Sewell also ordered payment of court costs and said Studie was to have no contact with the victim. He must also obtain counseling while on probation.
The assault allegedly occurred Aug. 2, 2007, and Studie was formally charged Aug. 15. Studie was scheduled a jury trial on the rape count this week.
Associate District Judge Mark Dobbins heard the evidence at the preliminary hearing in September 2007. Dobbins dismissed a second count charging Studie with sexual battery and denied a state motion to add another rape count, court records show.
Assistant District Attorney Greg Combs represented the state at the sentencing hearing, and Jim Cosby represented Studie.
