Bismarck man gets 16 years for assaulting infant, forgery

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A North Dakota man who was originally sentenced to four years in prison for sexually abusing an infant was re-sentenced Friday to 16 years in prison, due in part to the fact he submitted false letters of support.

South Central District Judge David Reich said the letters were one of the factors he considered in handing down the new sentence for Andrew Glasser, 35, of Bismarck. Reich, whose first sentence sparked a public outcry, told the court Friday that he’s influenced by evidence and the law and not by public opinion, the Bismarck Tribune reported.

Glasser was originally sentenced in February after entering an Alford plea to a charge of sexual assault. He pleaded guilty in July 2019 in a related case to abusing a child, tampering with evidence and 10 counts of possessing child pornography.

The case was reopened and three forgery charges filed after Glasser signed the name of a former college acquaintance to a letter on his behalf and the man notified court officials. Prosecutors say there were two more phony letters.

Defense attorney Kent Morrow said the letters amounted to “a middle school attempt to gain some sympathy.” He asked Reich to add a year to Glasser’s four-year sentence.