Wyoming Man Faces up to 40 Years in Prison for Sexual Abuse

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — A Wyoming man has pleaded guilty to amended sexual abuse charges after originally being scheduled to stand trial on Monday.

Kenneth Matthew Lovato, 51, took a last-minute plea deal on Friday for two felony charges of second-degree sexual abuse of a minor.

The deal involves the state agreeing to recommend the sentences run consecutively. It also requests the second charge's sentence to be suspended.

Albany County Attorney Peggy Trent says the decision to alter the charges stemmed from the victim's age and the sensitivity of the testimony if he were called to the stand.

Lovato has two previous convictions for sexual abuse of a minor. He faces up to 40 years in prison.