Arnold man rejects, then accepts, plea deal for sexual assault of teen

An Arnold man will serve up to three years in prison for the sexual assault of a girl in her mid-teens.

Marcel Lynne Hayes, 31, pleaded guilty Wednesday to one felony count as part of a plea bargain.

Hayes initially rejected the deal but ultimately accepted after a Westmoreland County prosecutor pledged to seek a 20-year prison sentence had the case gone to trial.

Assistant District Attorney Anthony Iannamorelli said the plea deal for Hayes was constructed to spare Hayes’ accuser from having to testify at trial.

In exchange, the prosecution dismissed charges of rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault and other offenses.

Iannamorelli said told Westmoreland County Common Pleas Judge Scott Mears the prosecution likely would seek consecutive sentences should Hayes be convicted of all counts after a jury trial.

“I have text messages that are quite damning, and a victim who is very believable,” Iannamorelli said in court Wednesday. “If I had, at the worst, a 10- to 20-year (prison sentence) at the close of this case, I would be happy.”

According to court records, Hayes’ juvenile accuser told police she was forced to engage in multiple sexual encounters over several months.

Mears imposed terms of the plea bargain, in which Hayes is to serve one to three years in prison and an additional five years on probation.

He also faces a lifetime requirement to register as a convicted sex offender.