HOT SPRINGS — A Hot Springs man who was twice convicted of sexual assault and was about to stand trial in a rape pleaded guilty to an amended charge Thursday and was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Nathan Latrell Ellis, 35, was to stand trial Wednesday on the rape charge, punishable by up to life in prison. He instead pleaded guilty to fourth-degree sexual assault, normally punishabl÷e by up to six years in prison.
Ellis, a Level 3 sex offender, is classified as a habitual offender, having been convicted twice before of sexual assault.
In 2008, he was convicted in a case involving a 14-year-old girl and was placed on probation for five years.
In 2010, Ellis was arrested on a second sexual-assault charge after having sex with a 14-yearold girl. He was sentenced to six years in prison.
According to the affidavit on the most recent charge, on Nov. 8, 2014, a woman reported her 14-year-old daughter was raped by Ellis at his residence Aug. 1, 2014.
The 14-year-old said she and her sister were babysitting at Ellis’ residence and they fell asleep in the living room. When the victim woke up, she was in Ellis’ bed with him, wearing only her underwear, according to the affidavit. She said Ellis held her down and raped her.
Ellis was arrested Feb. 12, 2015, and had remained in custody in lieu of $100,000 bail since then.