Former Marine recruiter pleads guilty to rape

A former Marine Corps recruiter pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of third-degree rape involving a 15-year-old Valley High School student.

Arthur Pledger Jr., 27, was sentenced to five years supervised probation, said Steve Tedder, a spokesman for the Commonwealth Attorney’s office. Pledger entered the guilty plea during a pre-trial hearing, Tedder said.

If Pledger violates his probation he could receive five years in prison, Tedder said.

Pledger was accused of having sex with the teen on two separate occasions between Sept. 1 and Oct. 10 after they met at the school and arranged to meet on MySpace.com.

He was discharged from the Marines in December because of the case.

See also: Marine Recruiter Sgt. Arthur Pledger Arraigned in Rape Case