Man Admits Assaults, Burglaries

BENTONVILLE — A Rogers man was sentenced to 30 years in prison after admitting he sexually assaulted three women.

Jose Luis Molina-Pleitez, 22, pleaded guilty Wednesday to three counts of sexual assault in the second degree and two counts of residential burglary, both Class B felonies. The plea was under an agreement attorney Mauricio Herrera reached with A.J. Anglin, deputy prosecutor. Several charges were dismissed in exchange for the guilty plea.

Molina-Pleitez
Molina-Pleitez

Molina-Pleitez pleaded guilty to the exact same charges last year, but did so without the benefit of a plea agreement. He later requested to withdraw the guilty plea and then Circuit Judge Jon Comstock granted the request.

Molina-Pleitez was arrested Dec. 9, 2010, in connection with a string of criminal incidents in east Rogers. Police gathered information leading to Molina-Pleitez, who later admitted to breaking into several houses.

He agreed to ride with Rogers police officers and point out the houses. Molina-Pleitez told police he would leave his home dressed, then take off his clothes and hide them. Molina-Pleitez admitted being naked at times, claimed he wore gloves at times, but always wore a cap, according to the arrest affidavit. Molina-Pleitez later gave police a pair of black gloves and a black stocking cap, according to court documents.

The three victims were 40, 33, and 66 years old.

Circuit Judge Brad Karren reviewed Molina-Pleitez’s rights with him and then accepted the plea agreement and Molina-Pleitez’s guilty pleas.

Molina-Pleitez was sentenced to 30 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction. He must serve one-sixth of the sentence before he will be eligible for parole. Molina-Pleitez must abide by a 10-year suspended sentence agreement after his release from prison. He must pay $1,620 in court costs and will be required to register as a sex offender.

Molina-Pleitez is being held in the Benton County Jail on $75,000 bond. Anglin said Molina-Pleitez, who is from El Salvador, probably will be deported after his release from prison. Molina-Pleitez is in the country legally, but his felony convictions will result in deportation, according to Anglin.

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