A man who earlier this month pleaded guilty to the rape of a 9 year-old girl went to court Wednesday to take it all back.

Through his attorney, Mike Gleichauf, Robert Hoke, 38, of Proctorville, told Lawrence County Common Pleas Judge Charles Cooper he did not fully understand what he was doing when he pleaded guilty to the charge that could send him to prison for life, possibly without parole.

But Lawrence County Prosecutor J.B. Collier Jr., argued Hoke’s request to withdraw his guilty plea did not include enough reason to substantiate that request.

Cooper said he will likely rule on the matter this week.

Hoke was arrested in March during a multi-agency sex offender sweep. The purpose of the sweep was to verify whether convicted sex offenders were abiding by the terms of federal laws that dictate where they live and that they notify local authorities if they move, change jobs and so forth.

Hoke was arrested for failing to notify the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office of a change of his address during that sweep. After he was incarcerated, the victim told authorities about the abuse she had endured, prompting the new rape charge.

Also Wednesday, Casey Adkins, 22, of 6 Township Road 1294, Proctorville, pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs and one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.

Judge D. Scott Bowling sentenced him to a total of four years in prison, fined him $15,000 and suspended his driver’s license for six months.

Aaron S. Cooper, 29, of 457 Porter Gap Road, Ironton, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated possession of drugs. Judge Cooper sentenced him to four years community control sanctions under intensive supervised probation (CCS/ISP) and fined him $1,250. Aaron Cooper must also successfully complete a rehabilitation program at the STAR Community Justice Center. His driver’s license was suspended for six months.

Also Wednesday, Lowney Dossey, 28, of 216 Township Road 240W, Pedro, pleaded guilty to one count of felony breaking and entering and misdemeanor charges of assault and criminal damaging.

Cooper sentenced Dossey to four years CCS/ISP that includes successful completion of a rehabilitation program at the STAR Community Justice Center.

Tai Yancey, 25, of Huntington, W.Va., pleaded guilty to a felony charge of improper handling of firearms in a motor vehicle and misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and obstruction of official business.

Cooper sentenced Yancey to four years CCS/ISP and ordered him to successfully complete the STAR program.

Loretta Edwards, 29, of 582 Township Road 343, Ironton, pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor theft.

Bowling sentenced her to two years probation and ordered her to pay $1,050 restitution to her victim.