Sexual assault sentencing puts case in past

After three years of courtroom wrangling, and a missed felony trial, 42-year-old Timothy Keeler was sentenced Monday for attempted sexual assault.

Although he maintains that an August 1997 sexual encounter with a 22-year-old woman was consensual, he pleaded guilty to attempted sexual assault in a plea agreement with prosecutors.

Keeler will serve between 15 months and 15 years in prison, ordered Judge Michael Griffin.

According to Public Defender Mike Roth, the night of the offense Keeler had been out drinking with the girl and her mother in celebration of the girl's birthday. Keeler "asked to be part of the celebration," Roth said.

He said Keeler rented a motel room because the victim felt sick and the trio was still far from the mother and daughter's home.

According to police reports, that is when Keeler made his move. The mother went into the bathroom and when she came out, she saw Keeler inappropriately touching her daughter.

"The mother told Keeler to stop and he would not cease," the arrest report reads. "The mother ran from the room to get help from her family for the daughter."

Keeler was later picked up by deputies at a nearby saloon. He immediately admitted having intercourse with the woman, but said it was consensual.

At Monday's sentencing, Deputy District Attorney David Morandi asked for the eight to 20 year maximum sentence allowed by law.

"Mr. Keeler has shown absolutely no remorse in this case," he said. "He states the victim was a willing participant in these acts."

Roth asked Griffin for the minimum two year sentence and admission to a rehabilitation program. "He's not a sinister predator who preys on young girls," he said.

Keeler has been in custody for five months. His criminal history includes several drug possession convictions and a less-than-honorable discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps for fighting with a military police officer.