ROCKVILLE, Md. (AP) — The former chief of staff for a New Jersey congressman will serve jail time after pleading guilty to soliciting sex from a minor, in reality an undercover police officer.

Robert Decheine pleaded guilty Tuesday in Montgomery County Circuit Court in Maryland and was sentenced to 18 months in jail with all but four months suspended.

Decheine ran the Washington and New Jersey offices of Rep. Steve Rothman, a Democrat from northern New Jersey, beginning in May 2003. The 49-year-old was fired in 2010 after being arrested in an undercover police sting.

Decheine’s attorney, Stanley Reed, said his client has taken responsibility for his behavior and is in therapy to address his
issues. With credit for good behavior, Decheine will likely serve two to three months of his sentence.

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