(Exhibit A for the defense: Whitehead can’t take a punch.)
In a surprising twist in the Mike Whitehead sexual assault case, the former The Ultimate Fighter 2 contestant was sentenced to between one and four years in Nevada State Prison today in Las Vegas. This according to the Associated Press.
Whitehead, who now lives in Tucson, Arizona and was scheduled to fight on Resurrection Fighting Alliance’s March 30 card in Nebraska, burst into tears after the sentence was read in Clark County court. He was immediately handcuffed and taken into custody. A report by the Associated Press states that “Iron” Mike (ironic, huh?) was charged with “attempted sexual assault,” which seems a bit off, considering he was full on having intercourse with a passed out chick while fondling her sleeping friend at his home when the victim woke up and told him to stop back in April 2010. In spite of her protest, Whitehead continued having sex with the 32-year-old acquaintance for several moments before climbing off of her and sitting naked on a chair in the corner while he stared at her and her 28-year-old girlfriend for a couple of hours.
It seemed like he would walk away with probation when it was announced late last year that he had struck a plea bargain with prosecutors to plead “no contest” to all charges against him to avoid the case going to trial, but it looks like the judge agreed with pretty much everyone that Whitehead should do the time for his vile crime.
Final sentencing is expected in the coming weeks, but a typical sentence for rape in Nevada where bodily harm doesn’t occur is life in prison with the possibility of parole after ten years. Four years is 40% of the normal penalty, so Whitehead should count himself lucky.
In addition to his stay in the big house, Whitehead will be added to the National Sex Offender Registry and was ordered to pay the victim $2,400 in restitution.
No word on whether or not an appeal will be launched, but it’s likely, considering that’s what pretty much every guilty person does.
