A former Indian Hills woman faces a life sentence this morning in Douglas County District Court for sexual assault after she admitted having sex with a 14-year-old girl.
Julie Fry-Cruz, 35 pleaded guilty to the charge in August after she and Donald J. Reynolds were arrested in connection with the incident, which came to light after Fry-Cruz bragged about it at a party in June. She is scheduled to appear in court today.
The person who heard the claim contacted authorities and the girl confirmed what happened. When investigators confronted Fry-Cruz, she reportedly acknowledged that she had sex with the girl.
Co-defendant Reynolds, 43, admitted one count of attempted sexual assault, a lesser felony. He faces up to 20 years in prison, but the state has agreed to ask for a maximum of 10 in exchange for Reynolds' guilty plea.
He is eligible for probation unless a court-ordered psychosexual evaluation determines he is at risk to reoffend.
Prosecutor Erik Levin said the crimes were charged differently based on evidence, the level of culpability and the desire to resolve the case without the victim having to testify at trial.
The state agreed not to add an enhancement because of the victim's age in exchange for defendants' guilty pleas.
Because the victim is under age 16, the penalties are more severe.
The defendants' attorneys said their clients accepted the plea agreements to avoid prosecution on more serious charges or the possibility a jury would convict them.
Both are being held in Douglas County Jail without bail. They must register as sex offenders and will be under lifetime supervision by state probation officers.
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