A 20-year-old Marshall resident charged last year with sex-related felonies in two different cases changed his plea during a hearing in each case about two months ago.
According to a probable-cause statement, on October 11, 2018, a 13-year-old female told authorities about an unwanted sexual encounter with Chase Matthew Watts. Online court documents say Watts was charged with an Unclassified Felony for Statutory Rape or Attempted Statutory Rape in the First Degree- with a Person Less Than 14 Years of Age.
Court documents also say Watts was charged with three counts of an Unclassified Felony for Sodomy in the First Degree- Aggravated Sexual Offense. He was alleged to have touched a girl inappropriately and had the girl perform sexual acts on him.
During a hearing in each case on Monday, September 9, Watts withdrew his original plea of not guilty and pleaded guilty as charged.
Watts is scheduled for a sentencing hearing in each cause at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, November 12, at Saline County Circuit Court.