Sex offender denied request to change guilty plea

Gary Peterson won’t be allowed to withdraw his guilty plea to three counts of sexual abuse of children.

In April, Peterson, who was born in 1967, admitted three of the 32 charges filed against him, but he later asked District Court Judge Daniel Boucher to allow him to withdraw the guilty pleas. His attorney, Randy Randolph, made arguments before Boucher as to why the plea should be withdrawn.

But Boucher denied the request.

The court determined that the defense's reason for wanting to withdraw the guilty pleas was unconvincing. Peterson's sentencing date is Jan. 21 at 9:30 a.m.

The case began June 6, 2013, after an officer received information that nude images of a teenage girl had been located in an office at the District 4 Human Resources Development Center where Peterson had previously worked.

Extensive investigation found that Peterson had placed sophisticated photography equipment in the home he shared with his girlfriend and her 16-year-old daughter. The equipment enabled him to take pictures through small holes in the wall, under doors and around corners. Peterson used the advanced photographic equipment to take pictures of the girl.

Peterson faces up to 100 years in prison.