Lobato pleads guilty to sexual assault charges
Patrice Bumstead
Farmer Editor
A Change of Plea Hearing was held Friday, Dec. 6, in relation to the State of North Dakota vs. Dylan Lobato of Watford City
The Farmer reported previously that Lobato was charged with a Class A Felony for gross sexual imposition - sexual contact-force; a Class B Felony for burglary-night; a Class C Felony for terrorizing-with a dangerous weapon-adult victim; a Class B Felony for theft-posession, $10,000-$50,000; and three Class A Misdemeanor charges for sexual assault-offensive contact and two counts of wearing a mask during commission of a criminal offense in July 2023.
In August 2023, Lobato pleaded not guilty to all charges with the position that there was insufficient evidence to identify Lobato as the assailant who perpetrated the crimes committed on July 11, 2023, his bond was set at $50,000. He was released from custody in October 2023 after securing bond.
In December 2023, Lobato’s attorney submitted a letter to the Northwest District Judge in reference to the scheduled pre-trial, stating that they had received an offer and after review of that offer a deal had not been reached. Then requested that the matter be taken off the pre-trial calendar and set for trial.
The Northwest Judicial District cancelled the pre-trail conference on Dec. 7, 2023, and scheduled a jury trial for Feb. 20, 2024.
A motion to consolidate both cases was made on Jan. 29, 2024, and granted on Feb. 9, 2024.
On February 13, 2024, a Notice of Hearing was filed for a change of plea and sentencing to be held on March 27, 2024.
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