James M. Begay
A convicted sex offender has reached a plea deal with prosecutors, avoiding a jury trial.
Investigators say in August 2010, 23-year-old James Begay attacked, strangled and sexually assaulted a 19-year-old woman. He also threatened the woman with a knife, but never showed it.
The incident happened near Lincoln Elementary in Wausau.
Tuesday, in Marathon County Court, Begay pleaded no contest to a lesser charge of 3rd degree sexual assault. Initially he was charged with 1st degree sexual assault with the use of a danger weapon.
Begay was sentenced to five years in prison and five years on extended supervision. He must also register as a sex offender. According to online court records, he’ll also get nearly two years credit for time he’s already served.
At the time of the sexual assault, Begay was serving a probation sentence in Wausau. He is already a convicted sex offender from an assault stemming from a juvenile case in Sawyer County.
