Cape Girardeau man pleads guilty, given 15-year sentence

~ Teen makes plea agreement in 2005 sex crime case.

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- A Cape Girardeau man accused of holding a gun to a woman's head while forcing her to perform sexual favors pleaded guilty and was sentenced Tuesday.

Karnett K. Redmond, 18, of 419 S. Pacific St., entered his guilty plea to forcible sodomy, unlawful use of a weapon and resisting a lawful detention. The plea was heard by Circuit Judge David Dolan on a change of venue in Mississippi County.

On May 5, 2005, Redmond approached a woman at a Cape Girardeau apartment building and attempted to rob her. When she said she had no money, he pointed a 9 mm Ruger pistol at her head and forced her to perform oral sex on him, prosecuting attorney Morley Swingle said.

The next day, he attempted to rob another woman, who also said she had no money, Swingle said. This woman was able to get away and call police.

"Our position was that he was trying to accomplish the same thing with her," Swingle said of the second woman.

A police chase later ensued, and Redmond was arrested at gunpoint on the roof of 718 Broadway, according to police. The Ruger pistol was recovered nearby, and its serial numbers were filed off.

In exchange for Redmond's plea, armed criminal action and attempted robbery charges were dropped, Swingle said. Prosecutors also recommended 15 years' imprisonment, which Dolan handed down.

Redmond, who must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence, could have received up to life behind bars.

kmorrison@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127