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BRIEF: Ames man accused of 2016 sexual abuse set to plead guilty

Ames Tribune - 2/8/2018

Feb. 08--The Ames man who police say sexually abused a minor between June 2015 and 2016, is set to plead guilty at a hearing Feb. 12, according to Story County Attorney Jessica Reynolds.

Chris Samart Keochai, 22, is expected to plead guilty to lascivious acts with a child, a class C felony, Reynolds said.

Keochai was arrested in late October 2017, and originally pleaded not-guilty to the charge of second-degree sexual abuse.

His trial was originally set for Jan. 9 before being delayed to Feb. 13. Keochai decided to enter a plea agreement last week, Reynolds said.

According to Ames police Cmdr. Geoff Huff, the victim -- who was under the age of 12 -- told police that Keochai had forced her to touch him inappropriately on one occasion. Huff said that police later interviewed Keochai in July 2016, where he admitted to the incident.

Huff said the relationship between Keochai and the victim is unknown.

Keochai remains held at the Story County Jail on $25,000 bond.

Reynolds said that her office is recommending a 10-year prison sentence.

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