Plea deal reached for illegal accused of sexually assaulting teen

By Bob Stiles
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, February 11, 2011


A Honduran man who Greensburg police said was in this country illegally for 16 years reached a plea agreement with prosecutors Thursday over an alleged sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl.

Osman Mendez, 36, waived his right to a preliminary hearing yesterday before Greensburg District Judge James Albert.

He is charged with indecent assault, indecent assault of a person less than 16 years, corruption of minors and unlawful contact or communication with a minor.

"It's resolved to his satisfaction," said Westmoreland County Assistant Public Defender John Sweeney, confirming that a plea agreement had been reached.

Mendez is to plead guilty to charges of indecent assault and illegal contact with a minor. In exchange, he is to be sentenced to time served to 23 months in prison, authorities said.

A hearing then would be held to determine whether Mendez must register as a Megan's Law violator. Mendez, who is being held in the county prison on a detainer from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, then would face a hearing for deportation to Honduras, police said.

The plea agreement must be accepted by a county judge.

The alleged victim's mother, who agreed to the terms of the plea agreement and had a copy of it in court yesterday, declined comment.

The mother is not being identified to protect the identity of the teen. The Tribune-Review does not name the victims of alleged sexual assaults.

City police contacted the immigration agency after arresting Mendez in November after the mother and another relative went to the police station to report the incident.

Authorities accused Mendez of making sexual advances toward the teen while he was staying at her mother's Greensburg home. Eventually, he improperly touched the teen over her objections, according to court papers.

Police Detective Jerry Vernail said Mendez last worked for a private construction company. Vernail said he was uncertain how Mendez remained so long in the United States without being detected as an illegal resident.

A language interpreter helped Mendez yesterday with his case, including paperwork.


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