Francis Eckman Sentenced For Sex Crimes

A Casper man is heading prison after acknowledging that there's enough evidence and/or testimony to convict him on charges of sex crimes.

Francis Eckman was sentenced to 15-to-20 years in prison, after entering an Alford plea to 2 counts of second degree sexual abuse of a minor.

Investigators with the Casper Police Department say earlier this year, some inappropriate messages were found on one the victims' Facebook account, and investigators believed Eckman was connected to them.

Another victim said Eckman had touched her on at least one occasion, and that he asked her not to tell, because then he would get in trouble and go to prison.

An Alford plea is not an admission of guilt, but it acknowledges that prosecutors have enough evidence and/or testimony for a conviction.