The man held in Anderson County Jail since assault charges were filed against him almost a year ago, avoided a trial on an attempted rape charge last week, when a plea deal was struck that saw his admission to two separate felony charges in the incident. Thirty-four year-old Porfirio Dela Cruz-Cantu, pled guilty to aggravated battery and mistreatment of an elderly person and a misdemeanor count of criminal restraint, just hours before the beginning of a three-day trial scheduled to begin.
Anderson County Attorney Steve Wilson says the plea was approved by the 64-year-old female victim in the case and avoided her testimony in open court.
The Ottawa woman told officers Cruz-Cantu clotheslined her from her bicycle October 10th of last year as she rode on the Prairie Spirit Trail, south of Scipio, pounced on her and attempted to sexually assault her and stuffing leaves in her mouth when she attempted to scream.
Cantu is subject to a U. S. Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement “HOLD,” a Federal order to turn him over to federal marshals when and if he is released for any reason.
