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“ misdemeanor sex charges against him were ultimately dismissed.”

“ Singer Billy Preston pleaded no contest Friday to drug and assault charges stemming from his purported sexual advances on day laborers he picked up to work at his home.

Preston, 45, pleaded no contest to one felony count each of possession of cocaine and assault with a deadly weapon at a pretrial hearing in Superior Court.

Judge James Albracht set an Oct. 16 sentencing date for Preston who is free on bond. He faces up to four years and eight months in prison.

'This is a fair disposition,' said Deputy District Attorney Loni Petersen. 'These are the two most serious counts that reflect what his actions were.'

Defense attorney Anthony Brooklier said his client was pleased with the no contest plea.

'Billy admits to having a drug problem and the court is giving him an opportunity to deal with it constructively,' Brooklier said.

Prosecutors contend that on Aug. 17, 1991, Preston took a 38-year-old laborer to work on his Malibu home and used a knife to sexually batter and falsely imprison the man.

Preston allegedly tried to engage in sexual activities with the man after showing him pornographic pictures, Petersensaid.

The drug charge stems from a similar event on Aug. 18, 1991 when Preston allegedly picked up a 16-year-old boy to work on his home.

Preston was arrested after the youth told sheriff's deputies the singer smoked cocaine in his presence and showed him pornographic pictures.

For that incident, Preston was charged with felony possession of cocaine, four misdemeanor counts of being under the influence of cocaine, possession of an instrument to smoke a controlled substance, child annoying and exhibiting pornographic material to a minor.

On Friday, Preston pleaded to the more serious felony possession of cocaine charge.

You can actually look this stuff up.
I’m not trying to say Preston was a stand up guy.