Clear Lake man accused of sexual abuse pleads guilty to lesser charges

CLEAR LAKE — A Clear Lake man accused of sexual abuse and burglary has pleaded guilty to lesser charges.

37-year-old Johnathan Goerish was charged with third-degree sexual abuse and first-degree burglary. Authorities say Goerish entered a residence on August 10th through a back door and forced a woman to have sex.

Goerish on Wednesday as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors filed guilty pleas to charges of assault and simple trespass, both misdemeanor charges.

The plea agreement states that there will be a joint recommendation that Goerish be fined $430 on the assault charge, be placed on one year probation, and that he be required to complete a substance abuse evaluation.

For the trespass charge, the recommendation will be a $105 fine. Court records did not immediately indicate if or when Goerish will be sentenced.