By Michael Copley, Staff writer
mcopley@powhatantoday.com

A 33-year-old man charged with carnal knowledge of a minor and illegal gun possession by a convicted felon pleaded guilty July 28. Carnal knowledge refers to sex with a child, age 13 or 14 that does not involve the use of force. It is a class four felony.

According to evidence presented in court, Matthew Peter Ward committed the offense at his home on Huguenot Trail March 21, 2009. The girl, 14, was at the residence drinking with friends. She threw up, according to the Commonwealth, and passed out in Ward’s bedroom. The girl was on the bedroom floor when she woke up and Ward was on top of her. She told investigators that intercourse stopped when she woke up.

The minor called police and a hand gun was found in Ward’s home during a warranted search. The girl also told investigators that Ward was showing the gun off on March 21.

Ward will be sentenced in October.

This article initially named the defendant incorrectly.