A Greenwood man convicted of child molestation will spend seven years in prison.
Michael Mehringer, 34, was convicted in a one-day bench trial in late August. He was sentenced on the Level 3 felony to nine years, with seven years of prison and two years of probation.
He must also register as a sex offender and follow additional probation terms that apply to sex offenders, according to the sentencing order.
The sentence was handed down by Johnson County Circuit Court Judge Andy Roesener.
A teenage girl, who was less than 14 years old, told police Mehringer had touched her inappropriately three times in late 2017.
The incidents were reported to Greenwood police in early 2018, and a criminal charge was filed in August 2018.
Mehringer had told the girl not to tell anyone, but then he told the girl’s mother, according to the police investigation. He had said he was drunk when the incidents happened, but the girl said she didn’t smell any alcohol on him, according to court documents.
Mehringer, formerly of 928 Wallington Circle, Apt. B, was immediately taken into custody upon his conviction in August.
