Guilty plea entered for sex with a minor

By Linda Cicoira

A 19-year-old Bloxom man pleaded guilty Thursday in Accomack Circuit Court to having sexual intercourse without force with a 14-year-old girl in May 2023 when he was 18.

Two counts of rape involving a minor were not prosecuted against Jacen Alexander Horne in a plea agreement with Commonwealth’s Attorney Spencer Morgan. The prosecutor said the agreement was made in the best interest of justice.

The victim reported the incident months later, in September. Horne was arrested in December after being indicted by a county grand jury. He has been free on a $5,000 bond since January.

The girl told authorities Horne provided alcohol to her and two other girls and that she felt pressured to drink. He then forced himself on her, the prosecutor continued. The defendant admitted the act but said it was consensual.

The maximum punishment for the crime is 10 years in prison and a fine of $100,000 plus court costs. A sentence was not included in the plea agreement. A presentence report was ordered. Horne was allowed to remain on bond.