PROBATION for ex-cop who admitted to sexually assaulting little girl for years

A former police officer in Hawaii who admitted to sexually abusing a 5-year-old girl recently learned he will not spend a day behind bars.

In 2017, an Oahu grand jury indicted Teddy O. Van Lerberghe, 45, formerly with the Honolulu Police Department, on seven counts of sexual assault. According to the Star Advertiser, the assaults started in 2004, when the girl was five, and continued until 2008.

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As part of an agreement with prosecutors, Van Lerberghe agreed to change his plea from not guilty to no contest. As a result, the charges were downgraded to four Class B felonies and the three original Class C felonies.

The news outlet reported that Van Lerberghe joined the force in January 2007 and was fired in May 2016.

The ex-police officer will be required to register as a sex offender. A Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney spokesperson told the Star Advertiser that it’s not publicly speaking on the case until after he’s sentenced in August.

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[Featured image: Teddy Van Lerberghe/Department of Public Safety]