Former cop loses bid to withdraw plea in sex case

Bill Gang

Friday, Sept. 10, 1999 | 10:38 a.m.

A judge has rejected a bid by a former Metro Police officer to withdraw his guilty plea to a statutory sexual seduction charge involving a 14-year-old girl he admitted he began dating a year before he married her in Mexico.

Adam Paul Huettner, 24, met the girl while transporting her to Child Haven, and according to his guilty plea in May, he engaged in a sexual relationship for a year before his arrest.

The basis for the motion to withdraw the guilty plea, according to defense attorney David Schieck, is that he married the girl but didn't realize that was a defense to the statutory seduction charge.

Deputy District Bill Kephart argued that the actual reason Huettner wants to withdraw the plea is that the girl -- who was scheduled to testify about the relationship -- has disappeared.

The prosecutor charged that Huettner apparently believes that without her he can't be convicted.

Kephart added that the Tijuana marriage was bogus and said documents provided by Huettner were fabrications. The prosecutor said a legal marriage never occurred, according to his investigation.

But Schieck presented evidence that the Tijuana business that performed the marriage actually exists.

Under Nevada law, so long as a bride and groom consummate their marriage with a belief their wedding was valid, it must be considered to be so by authorities in this state.

District Judge Michael Douglas said the marriage is a "non-issue" in the criminal case because Huettner had pleaded guilty to engaging in sex with the girl long before the wedding.

But in court, Huettner swore there were no sexual encounters before the marriage.

Kephart has indicated that the truth might have been revealed had the girl been in court because she is pregnant and he believes she is close to giving birth -- making the date of conception well before the wedding.

Schieck said recently that he believes she is not due for months.

In denying the motion for a new trial, Douglas said Huettner is suffering from "buyer's remorse" and trying to manipulate the system after he had voluntarily pleaded guilty in a "good deal."

As part of the plea bargain, possession of child pornography charges were dismissed. Those involved nude photos of the girl he now claims is his wife.

Sentencing is set for Dec. 16.