Sun Valley man pleads guilty to sexual assault on a child

Wednesday, July 28, 1999 | 2:54 a.m.

RENO, Nev., - A Sun Valley man pleaded guilty Wednesday to sexual assault on a child under 14 years old.

John Joseph Lignowski, 57, will be sentenced Sept. 16.

The Washoe County District Attorney's office said the only possible sentence is life imprisonment. Lignowski would not be eligible for parole until he has served 20 years of that sentence.

During the court proceedings, Lignowski acknowledged the possible sentence, calling it a "death sentence."

Lignowski was charged with the sexual assault of 6-year-old boy.

Prosecutors agreed not to pursue lewdness charges involving accusations from another child, a 6-year-old girl, in exchange for the Lignowski's guilty plea to the more serious sexual assault charge involving the boy.

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