Michael Burt
LIBERTY — A former long-time employee of the Galilean Home pleaded guilty Monday to rape and sodomy charges in exchange for a recommended prison sentence of 10 years.
Michael Burt, 62, of Liberty entered the plea before Judge Douglas George in Casey Circuit Court to 10 counts of third-degree rape and 20 counts of sodomy involving a resident of Galilean Home whose reduced mental capacity made her incapable of consent.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Brian Wright said today he will recommend Burt receive five years on the rape charges and five years for sodomy, to run consecutively for a total of 10 years, as part of the plea deal. Burt will be formally sentenced on Oct. 22.
Kentucky State Police initially charged Burt in June with first-degree rape after an investigation revealed he had engaged in a sexual relationship with a mentally handicapped resident of the home between June 2011 and May 2012.
The victim was in her mid-30s but was incapable of consent under the law due to her mental retardation, Wright explained.
“There was no evidence of forcible compulsion,” he said. “
Burt had worked at the Galilean Home for more than two decades, founder Jerry Tucker said, but was dismissed just prior to his arrest for making inappropriate comments to female residents of the home.
Burt remains in custody at the Casey County Detention Center under a $100,000 bond.
