Man sentenced to 12 years in rape case

A Franklin County man originally charged with attempted rape and sodomy charges in 2010 was sentenced to 12 years in prison on Friday, courthouse officials said.
Michael Douglas Lingelbach, 44, of Phil Campbell, pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted rape and first-degree attempted sodomy at a pre-trial hearing in April, Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing said.
Rushing said in the plea agreement, Lingelbach accepted a 12-year sentence but was allowed to apply for probation and a Community Correction sentence.
At the sentencing hearing on Friday, however, Franklin County Circuit Judge Terry Dempsey sentenced Lingelbach to the full 12 years specified in the agreement.
“The victim in this case and her mother have been very actively involved and cooperative in this process and they agreed to the final offer we made Mr. Lingelbach,” Rushing said. “The mother spoke at the sentencing hearing and made it clear that Mr. Lingelbach’s actions have had a negative impact on her daughter and she still suffers problems because of the abuse.
“She made it clear that he did not deserve to receive a Community Corrections sentence or be placed on probation. She stressed he should serve prison time for what he had done.”
Lingelbach was originally arrested in June 2010 after the victim’s mother confronted him about the alleged abuse that had occurred over a two-year period.
Linglebach was accused of forcing himself on the then-15-year-old female victim on multiple occasions.
Lingelbach was said to be a family acquaintance at the time the abuse was reported.
“We are pleased that Judge Dempsey sentenced Mr. Lingelbach to the full 12 years,” Rushing said. “We think this is a good sentence are we’re glad the victim will be able to avoid the trauma of a trial.”
Rushing said Lingelbach will be transferred to the Department of Corrections within 30 days and placed in a prison facility of their choosing to serve out his sentence.