Bermuda Dunes man guilty of accessory charge in Vanderbilt rape

A Bermuda Dunes man has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor accessory charge in the June 2013 rape of a Vanderbilt University student by football players.

Miles Finley was friends with Brandon Vandenburg, who was convicted in January of multiple counts of aggravated rape.

Finley testified at the trial that Vandenburg sent him text messages and videos of the assault as it was happening. The 21-year-old said Vandenburg later came to California and confiscated his cell phone.

Finley originally was charged with evidence tampering.

Defense attorney Bernie McEvoy said Finley pleaded guilty on Friday to attempted accessory after the fact. Appearing via Internet video from Palm Desert, Finley was sentenced to 11 months and 29 days unsupervised probation.

The charge can be expunged if he stays out of trouble during that time.