Former counsel for Albert Lea pleads guilty to sex with a student

ALBERT LEA, Minn. (KTTC) – Richard John Polley, 35, of Albert Lea, pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree.

According to court documents Polley had sex with a 17-year-old student in January 2022 after the two bonded over his duties as a high school guidance counselor before becoming friends on Snapchat.

The plea comes after a mistrial in September.

Polley is expected to be sentenced on January 29, 2025.

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