A rural Carthage man pleaded guilty Thursday to sexually abusing an underage boy.
Mario K. Arredondo, 47, changed his plea to guilty on a charge of first-degree statutory sodomy at a hearing in Jasper County Circuit Court in Joplin.
The change in plea was in accordance with an agreement with the Jasper County prosecutor’s office that would limit the prison time Arredondo might be assessed to no more than 15 years. He faced from 10 to 30 years in prison under state law.
Circuit Judge David Dally delayed formal acceptance or rejection of the plea bargain, and ordered the completion of a sentencing-assessment report. Arredondo will be sentenced Dec. 21.
A probable-cause affidavit filed by a detective with the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department states that the defendant subjected the boy to repeated sexual abuse beginning in the spring of 2003, when the victim was 7 years of age.
