Osborne changes pleas, sentenced to six years

It was an emotional day at the Jefferson County Courthouse on Tuesday as former Madras High girls’ basketball coach Michael Osborne was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to sexual abuse involving a teen-age girl.

He pleaded guilty to six of the 25 sexual abuse charges brought against him in Jefferson and Washington counties.

Osborne,45, had pleaded not guilty in December to 14 counts of second-degree sex abuse involving a now-17-year-old student. He was later charged in a separate indictment with 11 more counts in Washington County.

Osborne agreed to plead guilty to four of the Jefferson County charges and two counts in Washington County.

The victim, surrounded by family members, sat watching tearfully in the courtroom as Jefferson County Circuit Judge Annette Hillman imposed the sentence.

Hillman told Osborne she hoped he has learned from the poor choices he’s made.

District Attorney Steve Leriche said afterward that he’s pleased the case is resolved.

“Because of his employment position, he had contact with many different individuals — players and other coaches and teachers,” Leriche said. “And so to have this behind us will allow everyone to move on.”

The time Osborne has spent in the Jefferson and Washington county jails since his arrest last fall will count toward the time he will serve, Leriche said

Also, Leriche said, after three years behind bars, Osborne can get his sentence reduced by up to 20 percent for good behavior.