Lawrence Taylor Cuts a Deal in Rape Case, Dodges Prison

NFL Hall of Famer, Dancing With the Stars alum will have to register as a sex offender after pleading guilty to sexual misconduct and soliciting a prostitute

By Natalie Finn Jan 14, 2011 2:00 AMTags
Lawrence Taylor AP Photo/Craig Ruttle

Lawrence Taylor's Hail Mary pass worked.

In a deal that will keep him out of prison, the NFL Hall of Famer and Dancing With the Stars alum pleaded guilty Thursday to misdemeanor sexual misconduct and soliciting a prostitute, maintaining all the way that he thought the underage girl involved was 19.

Prosecutors agreed to drop the even uglier charges of third-degree rape and endangering the welfare of a minor in exchange for Taylor's plea. And though he's expected to be sentenced to six years' probation instead of four years behind bars, the former Giants great will have to register as a sex offender.

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