One Pleads Guilty in Liberty County Child Rape Case

LIBERTY, Texas (AP) _ One of 14 adult defendants from a Southeast Texas town has pleaded guilty to a child rape charge in a case where the men are accused of the repeated sexual assault of an 11-year-old girl last year.

Isaiah Ross of Cleveland was facing life in prison on a charge of continuous sexual abuse of a child, but the 21-year-old pleaded guilty Monday to the lesser charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Prosecutors said they would recommend a 15-year prison term.

As part of the plea deal, Ross will testify against co-defendants who could go on trial next month.

Authorities say the girl was assaulted at least five times in Cleveland, about 45 miles northeast of Houston. The remaining defendants are expected to be tried in nearby Liberty.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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