JEFFERSON COUNTY — A 26-year-old Mt. Vernon man who earlier pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a girl under the age of 13 is scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday in Jefferson County Court.

Cody Richardson entered an open plea of guilt in April to a reduced charge of Class 2 felony aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

He was originally charged in January with two counts Class X felony predatory criminal sexual assault of a child. One of the Class X counts was reduced and the other count was dismissed per the plea agreement.

A pre-sentencing investigation and sex offender evaluation have both been completed in preparation for Richardson’s sentencing. A Class 2 felony is punishable by between 3 and 7 years in prison.

Evidence presented in court showed Richardson committed an act of sexual conduct with the underage victim between February 2015 and January 2016.

The victim was under 13 years of age at the time and Richardson was more than 17 years of age. Richardson will have to register as a sex offender as part of his conviction.

He remains in custody at the Jefferson County Jail with bail set at $200,000. Special conditions of release prohibit Richardson from having contact with minors under the age of 18 if he posts bond.