A Buchanan County Jury found a St. Joseph man guilty Thursday night to a lesser-included offense of child molestation after a second count was dismissed by the judge.

William Bartlett was originally charged with two felony counts of statutory sodomy after police said he fondled a 9-year-old girl in 2015.  A jury trial in the case began Tuesday. At the close of the state’s evidence, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Kate Schaefer asked the court if she could file an amended complaint on the second count. The judge refused.

Assistant Public Defender Christopher Belts then filed a motion for a judgment of acquittal. The court granted the motion as to the second count.

Belts then presented defense evidence, and Bartlett took the witness stand. He testified that he touched the young girl’s private parts, but did so accidentally.

The seven women and five men on the panel got the case and began deliberations shortly after 10 a.m. Thursday. That evening they returned the verdict of guilty for the lesser charge of a second-degree child molestation on the first count.

Circuit Judge Patrick Robb scheduled a sentencing for Feb. 1. Bartlett faces up to one year in jail and a possible fine of up to $1,000 for his conviction on the class-a misdemeanor charge.

In the meantime, Bartlett is free on a personal recognizance bond.