Prosecutors say a 42-year-old illegal immigrant will spend 35 years in state prison after choosing to plead guilty to child rape charges.
Trial was getting underway when Eliseo Carbajal Perez of Mexico changed his mind following jury selection.
"Perez informed the court he was guilty of the charges and did not want to continue with the trial," Assistant District Attorney Bruce Dearing said in a news release. "Perez then proceeded to formally plead guilty to second degree rape, aggravated crime against nature, and two counts of molestation of a juvenile."
The charges stemmed from sexual assaults against two young girls in Franklinton on multiple occasions over a period of years.
"Perez began sexually abusing the two young girls when they were approximately 5 and 7 years of age. After enduring years of abuse, one of the girls told her mother she was scared of the defendant and disclosed why. The girl’s mother notified the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office."
Dearing says after 12 jurors were selected, Perez said he wanted to plead guilty to all four charges.
"His guilty plea was entered prior to either victim being required to testify. However, both victims were present in the courtroom at the time of the plea. As a result, they were able to see the man who abused them admit his guilt clearly and unequivocally."
The judge sentenced Perez to four concurrent 35-year prison terms.
"By law, Perez is ineligible for parole on any portion of his prison sentence."
Dearing says that because Perez is in the United States illegally, he will be subject to deportation proceedings upon his release.
Even if the jury had found him not guilty, he would have been sent back to Mexico.
Now he faces deportation from the Louisiana Department of Corrections after serving his 35-year prison term.