In September 2008, police arrested 24-year-old Michael Chaplin of Churchville, Virginia, for having sex with a 15-year-old girl.
The girl testified at a trial in Augusta County Juvenile and Domestic Court that Chaplin met at a restaurant where they both worked. She said he helped her sneak out of her home several times, and that she and Chaplin had had consensual sex one night. The prosecution produced dozens of text messages between the girl and Chaplin.
Chaplin, who had chosen to have his case decided by a judge without a jury, was convicted of sexual assault in December 2008. He was sentenced to one year in prison.
However, after the trial, his girlfriend's mother came forward and said he had been in her home on that night.
Chaplin's conviction was set aside and in February 2009, he went to trial a second time. He was acquitted by a judge after his girlfriend’s mother testified that Chaplin was at her house on the night the 15-year-old said she and Chaplin had sex.
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