McLaughlin guilty of 5 counts of rape

McLaughlin guilty of 5 counts of rape

Christopher S. McLaughlin, 33, of Long Beach, entered guilty pleas to first degree assault of a child, five counts of third degree rape of a child, and one count of failure to register as a sex offender. McLaughlin now faces 240-318 months in prison.

"I agreed to a 25-year prison sentence for Mr. McLaughlin," said Pacific County Prosecutor Mark McClain. "I believe that a sentence of 25 years protects the child in this case and the community, and I believe that the issues in the case, specifically that his was a very young child and there was no physical evidence, warranted the long sentence with significant certainty against the potentially much longer sentence that required the testimony of a child to secure the conviction."

"The victim's mother was supportive of the resolution and those I discussed the matter with agreed this significant sentence was appropriate," noted McClain.

McLaughlin's sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 17 at 3 pm.

Gina M. Griggs, 40, of Ocean Park entered guilty pleas to deliver of oxycodone and hyrromorphone, which are controlled substances.

"This conviction stems from the Pacific County Drug Task Forces excellent investigation into the illegal sale of prescription pills and would not have been possible without the use of a confidential informant and the Task Force's comprehensive investigation," McClain said.

Griggs faces a possible sentence of 40 months in prison and is seeking a drug sentencing alternative which could result in a reduction to 20 months in prison followed by 20 months of probation.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 31, 2015 at 1:30 pm.

Robert R. Ferris, 53, of Long Beach entered a guilty plea to custodial assault following an incident which occurred in the Pacific County District Court in Long Beach.

Ferris, who was there on a probation hearing for a minor offense, had been ordered into custody to serve a portion of a previously suspended jail sentence when he became disruptive and eventually attempted to pull away from the arresting officer.

During his act of resisting he attempted to bite the bailiff, resulting in the charge of custodial assault.

"Mr. Ferris received a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail for his conduct," McClain said, "The corrections officer who was assaulted was both supportive of the resolution and also hoped that Mr. Ferris would receive the care he needed to get his life under control, which, given Mr. Ferris' comments to the judge and those in attendance, seems to have happened."