A man who fled Churchill County more than a decade ago after being charged with a sexual assault crime against a woman pleaded guilty Tuesday morning to the crime.
Jorge Ernesto Gonzalez was charged with sexual assault stemming from an incident in March 1998. Court records say he forcibly subjected a Fallon woman to have sexual intercourse with him against her will.
About one year later, Gonzalez, an illegal immigration immigrant, failed to show up for his preliminary hearing and was not seen again until recently.
"He had been on the run since 1999," said Chief Deputy District Attorney Tom Stockard,
Two to three weeks ago, Gonzales was arrested for a crime in Yerington and a check on him revealed the Churchill County outstanding warrant.
Stockard contacted the victim to see what she wanted to do, and she asked for the case to move forward.
Gonzalez pleaded guilty for attempting to commit sexual assault, though Judge David Huff was told the attempt charge was thrown in as a part of a plea bargain.
"In the plea deal it was downgraded to an attempt," Stockard said.
When sentenced, Gonzalez faces two to 20 years in prison, lifetime supervision and having to register as a sex offender. Probation can be given if the psycho sexual evaluation he receives certifies that he is not a high risk to reoffend.
If he is sent to prison, he will be deported to Mexico upon his release. Otherwise, he would be deported immediately
Gonzalez asked Huff through an translator if he would receive credit for time already served and was told he would be.
Gonzalez will be sentenced July 7.
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