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PROVO, Utah (AP) -- A Provo man accused of sexually abusing four girls has pleaded guilty to reduced charges.
Julio R. Martinez-Agustin, 50, pleaded guilty Monday to two first-degree felony charges of forcible rape and forcible sodomy and two second-degree felony charges of sexual abuse of a child. In exchange, the state dropped seven other felony charges.
"We're in agreement with this because of the difficulty the victims are having in testifying," prosecutor Donna Kelly said.
Fourth District Judge Anthony Schofield will sentence Martinez-Agustin on Nov. 19.
"I think this was a good resolution," defense attorney Richard Gale said outside the courtroom.
The state also agreed the two first-degree felony charges for rape and forcible sodomy and two second-degree felony charges for sexual abuse of a child would not carry mandatory imprisonment. Doing so allows Martinez-Agustin a chance at treatment, Gale said.
Two of the victims were at the courthouse Monday prepared to testify against Martinez-Agustin, and the other two were to testify via videotape, Kelly said.
"They were very emotional, crying and so forth today," Kelly said.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
