A man charged with forcibly fondling a woman with Down syndrome changed his plea to guilty in Foster (N.D.) County Court today.
Samuel "Tony" Lopez, 55, is accused of assaulting the 25-year-old Carrington, N.D., woman in April. Lopez allegedly entered the woman's apartment and sat at the kitchen table. He then made the woman sit on his lap and kiss and touch him, according to a police report.
The woman reported the incident and picked Lopez's photograph from a lineup, police said. Lopez eventually confessed to local police, State's Attorney Paul Murphy said.
"I believe she was targeted because she has Down syndrome," Murphy said. "Fortunately, she's very articulate."
Lopez had previously pleaded not guilty to the felony charge of sexual assault, and a trial date had been set.
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Murphy said there were sentencing negotiations but that no plea deal was struck. He said he insisted Lopez plead to the felony charge.
Sexual assault, a Class C felony, carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Today, a judge ordered a pre-sentence investigation be completed in the next 45 days, with sentencing to follow.
