SEWARD MAN PLEADS GUILTY

A Seward man pleaded guilty yesterday to charges related to attempted sex with an underage girl.  The Trib reports that 43-year-old Anthony Laughard pleaded guilty to unlawful contact with a minor for a sexual offense, attempted rape of a child and criminal use of a communications device. Prosecutors dismissed a second charge of unlawful contact with a minor and attempted involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child.  He was charged last year following an undercover sting operation conducted by state police where he thought he contacted the mother of a 12-year-old girl and paid $350 for a sexual encounter.  He was actually in communication with an undercover agent and was arrested and charged when he arrived at a predetermined location in North Huntingdon for a rendezvous with the child.  He will be sentenced in three months.