“Andi Mack” actor Stoney Westmoreland has been sentenced to serve two years in federal prison for sex crimes involving a minor.
After his time in jail, the 52-year-old will be on 10 years of supervised release and is required to register as a sex offender.
The former Disney Channel star was first apprehended in Salt Lake City in December 2018, according to Deadline.
He was charged in connection with trying to lure a minor into sex.
While lawmakers initially wanted Westmoreland to serve a 10-year-sentence, he entered a plea deal instead that allowed him a lower charge.
His lesser indictment stated that he used interstate workings to transport information about a minor.
The “Scandal” actor’s plea deal also indicates that he must cooperate with random searches on his electronic devices as well as report his email and social media accounts.
Westmoreland is barred from contact with people who are under the age of 18 and without adult supervision.
The outlet noted that back in 2018, he was utilizing the Grindr dating app when he found a profile of a supposedly 13-year-old boy.
The profile was actually created by detectives in Salt Lake City where Westmoreland’s Disney show was being filmed. He was fired from the kid’s show soon after his arrest.
Authorities stated at the time that he took a car from a ride-sharing app to meet the teen so they could retire to his hotel room. Police also claimed he sent NSFW photos to the child and requested nude snapshots in return.
Westmoreland was taken into custody where he admitted to police that he sent naked photos, and knew the individual he was chatting with said he was a teenager.
His attorney Wendy Lewis told Fox News recently that he thought was talking to an adult on the dating app.
“Mr. Westmoreland maintains that he believed the person he was speaking with was likely an adult engaging in role-play,” Lewis said. “Had there been an actual minor there when he arrived, he would have left.”
She also explained Westmoreland was analyzed by Dr. Fred Berlin of Johns Hopkins Institute for the Study, Prevention and Treatment of Sexual Trauma. The doctor had testified that the screen star showed no sexual interest in kids.
Lewis added, “Due to the possibility of a minimum 10-year sentence and conservative Utah juries, Mr. Westmoreland agreed to plead to the lesser offense of transmitting information about a minor for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity.”
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest Entertainment News Click Here
