A Wisconsin man who reportedly sexually abused a girl over an eight-year period pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal sexual conduct Wednesday in Freeborn County District Court.

Joel Michael Radjenovich, 72, pleaded guilty on the third day of a jury trial. The charge he pleaded guilty to involved a victim who was under 13 years old.

Radjenovich’s lawyer, Kevin DeVore, said Radjenovich entered an Alford plea. The plea results in a conviction without Radjenovich admitting to the offense. In entering the plea, he acknowledged the state had sufficient evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. 

“I thought this was a fair way to get the case resolved,” DeVore said.

According to court documents, Radjenovich sexually abused a girl from 2006 to 2014 in Clarks Grove. The abuse reportedly involved sexual penetration and contact.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 21. Radjenovich did not enter pleas to four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of second-degree sexual conduct and one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct.

DeVore said under state statutes, Radjenovich is expected to receive a stayed three-year prison sentence and be placed on probation for up to 25 years. The state has reportedly agreed to cap its requested jail time to 364 days, but DeVore plans to ask for a lesser probationary term.

Freeborn County Assistant County Attorney Jennifer Clements said the plea agreement was “an appropriate resolution to the case” after the office communicated with the victim, who agreed.