Sisters men acquitted in sex case

Three Sisters men were acquitted Thursday, July 10, of charges stemming from an alleged sexual encounter with three underage Sisters girls.

Darren Weich, Jeremiah Vincent and Michael J. Connelly, all in their early 20s, were found not guilty of third degree rape, sodomy, sex abuse and contributing to the sexual delinquency of a minor.

A charge of distribution of marijuana against Weich was dismissed before the case went to the jury.

The verdict came over a year after the men were arrested for having sexual relations with three girls, then 14, who spent the night at one of the men's homes after allegedly "ditching" school that day.

The girls were reported missing as runaways by their parents after they failed to return home.

According to prosecutor Neil Bregenzer, one of the girls changed her testimony during the trial and denied having sex with Vincent. Bregenzer said another girl's testimony was inconsistent.

"The jury chose to not hold these guys responsible," Bregenzer said.