Defendant Pleads Guilty In Connection With Missing Girl Case, Gets Up To One Year In Jail: DA

RIVERSIDE, NY — Another defendant pleaded guilty on Wednesday in connection with the case of the 14-year-old Long Island girl reportedly involved in sex trafficking while missing for 25 days, and has been sentenced to under one year in jail, the Suffolk District Attorney's office said.

Ralph Knowles, 63, of Bay Shore, will be sentenced to seven years in connection with a separate charge, according to a spokeswoman.

He faced a top charge of second-degree attempted rape, but pleaded guilty to a single count of endangering the welfare of a child — after admitting to selling the girl crack — instead getting 364 days, which is the maximum sentence for the class A misdemeanor, Newsday reported.

It was part of the plea deal that will spare the girl from testifying, according to the outlet.

His defense attorney, Chase Brown of Central Islip, told Newsday that his client intends to go to trial on the rape charge that is connected to the case.

Brown could not be immediately reached.

Brown previously told Patch that his client "maintains his innocence, and is looking forward to receiving his discovery and his day in court.

Daniel Burke, who was charged in connection with the case, was suffered a medical issue while in custody at the jail and was taken to Peconic Bay Medical Center on July 28 where he later died, according to a spokeswoman for Suffolk Sheriff Errol Toulon.

Editor's note: The teen's name is being withheld to protect her identity as a minor.