Man pleads guilty in sex assault of teen

A Carson City man could receive up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced Nov. 17 after pleading guilty Monday to sexually assaulting a girl.

District Judge Michael Griffin accepted Teofilo Santiago Lira's guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to commit sexual assault.

"What did you do?" asked Judge Michael Griffin of Lira, who sat at the defense table Monday morning.

"I committed sexual assault on two occasions," Lira, 43, said through an interpreter.

"How old was this person you assaulted," Griffin asked.

"13," Lira responded.

According to court documents, Lira was arrested March 31 in the 2700 block of Menlo Drive after allegedly admitting to sexually assaulting the girl.

The girl told investigators Lira had forced her in November to undress and stand in front of him.

He allegedly told her not to scream or tell anyone because "she would regret it for the rest of her life," the report states.

In February, the victim said, Lira did the same thing, this time holding her down and touching her.

On March 28, the victim said, Lira allegedly attempted to force her to have sex with him, but she fought him off.

When police asked Lira of the incidents, he allegedly confessed.

"He confessed to forcing her to take off her clothes and watching her naked while she laid on the bed and cried," the report states. "He stated he was going to kiss her and have sex with her but that she fought back and that's why he didn't."

In addition to a prison sentence, Lira could also be fined $10,000 and be placed on lifetime supervision.