As expected, a 25-year-old Clinton, Missouri man accused indecent liberties involving a then 8-year-old girl entered a “no contest” plea Thursday to an amended charge of attempted indecent liberties with a child.

With the plea to the lesser charge, Erik Reyes avoids being given a life sentence under Jessica’s Law and will be sentenced under sentencing guidelines for a level 5 felony. The state and the defense believe that the maximum sentence he will receive is 43-months. Judge Trish Rose set sentencing for May 3.

The inappropriate incident with the girl occurred while he was staying with relatives in South Hutchinson. The alleged crime occurring back on June 5, 2011.

The case came to light after the aunt of the defendant learned of the encounter and called South Hutchinson Police. She also reportedly began to striking Reyes in the groin area with a hair-dryer.

He quickly skipped town and was located in Missouri and brought back to Hutchinson.

The victim was allegedly sleeping on the couch when he allegedly took her into a bedroom where the alleged encounter happened. He then reportedly passed out and even when struck with the blow dryer, didn’t wake up.

District Attorney Keith Schroeder says the defendant is slightly learning challenged. They had conducted a mental evaluation on Reyes recently and he was deemed competent for the case to continue.

Schroeder says the victim and her family have moved to Florida since the incident and they felt making the plea deal was the right thing to do.

He remains jailed on a 100-thousand dollar bond and again sentencing is scheduled for May 3, at 8:30 a-m.