A Price man linked to the sexual abuse of several children was sentenced Monday to a maximum of five years in prison.
Timothy Lee Romano, 25, pleaded no contest in 7th District Court to two charges of third-degree felony attempted sexual abuse of a child in an agreement with prosecutors that spared him what could have been a life prison sentence.
On Monday, Judge George Harmond sentenced Romano to up to five years in the Utah State Prison for each charge, but ordered the sentences to run concurrently.
According to prosecutors, there was conflicting evidence about Romano’s involvement in the sexual abuse, which police have said involved at least six children, from toddlers to teens, over a three-year period.
Romano’s wife, Amanda Nicole Romano, and friend, Tyler James Barney, were also charged in connection with the alleged sexual assaults.
Amanda Romano, 26, is charged with five counts of object rape of a child, five counts of sodomy upon a child, four counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child — all first-degree felonies — and class A misdemeanor child abuse.
Her competency was in question at one time, but it was determined she could proceed with the case. She waived her right to a preliminary hearing, when the prosecution would have had to present enough evidence to prove probable cause in the case, and is due back in court March 25 for an arraignment, according to court documents.
Barney, who was charged with two counts of sex abuse of a child, a second-degree felony, is scheduled to stand trial in May.
It was not immediately clear whether Timothy Romano would testify against either his wife or his friend.
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