HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Sentencing in the case of a former Hutchinson Community College student who recently entered a plea in a sexual battery and kidnapping case, has been continued to later this month.

Victor Pedraza Jr. entered the pleas in April. Since then, Pedraza requested his plea be withdrawn. After discussion with his new attorney, Steve Osborn, it was decided that Pedraza will go through a status hearing to see where the case goes from here on August 22.

The state has indicated that if Pedraza does withdraw his plea, they will reinstate two counts of rape in the case which were dismissed as part of a plea agreement. A conviction could see the 21-year-old serve significant time in prison compared to what is under the plea agreement.

Pedraza was convicted in the beating of another college student from Japan he had been dating off-and-on. He then set her passport and documents on fire. Police say the victim was tied to a bed and beaten, then forced into sex twice. The state entered the agreement so that the victim would not have to come back to the U.S. to testify.