BROOKINGS – A Brookings man accused of assaulting a 4-month-old girl this spring has pleaded no contest to one count of aggravated assault.
A Brookings County grand jury indicted Hector Munoz Muniz, 27, on two felony counts of aggravated assault in April.
He entered his no contest plea in Brookings County Circuit Court on Wednesday to one count, and the other was dismissed as part of a plea deal. The State is deferring to the court for sentencing, and no additional charges will be brought in the case.
“The Brookings community is safer now that Mr. Munoz has been convicted for his horrific assault on the small child in this case. The judge will have full discretion on what the appropriate punishment should be, and he will be held accountable for his actions,” Brookings County State’s Attorney Dan Nelson said Wednesday.
A probable cause statement from Brookings Police says that on April 3, police were called to the Brookings ER for a report of a baby with a spiral fracture to the right humerus.
An exam found the arm fracture and a fracture on the right side of the girl’s skull, the statement says. The injuries occurred between March 14 and April 3.
Circuit Judge Dawn Elshere accepted the no contest plea from Munoz Muniz on Wednesday and ordered a pre-sentence investigation. Sentencing is schedule for 9 a.m. Aug. 5.
Aggravated assault is a Class 3 felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $30,000 fine.
Contact Jill Fier at jfier@brookingsregister.com.
