A Carbon County man pleaded guilty in the county court on Thursday to indecent assault in a case that began five years ago when he was only a teen.

Rashon Taliek Venable, 22, of Albrightsville, entered a plea before President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II in a case that dates to 2009. The case took a long time coming to this point as there were 50 continuances filed in the case over the years.Venable was charged by state police at Fern Ridge with having sexual contact with his "best friend," a then-16-year-old female from Penn Forest Township. The incident occurred on May 27, 2009, at a home in the township.At the time of his arrest, troopers said the victim went to a friend's home to hang out. Besides the friend, Venable was also present.The victim told troopers that Venable was "her best friend." He allegedly asked her to enter a guest room to speak to her privately. Once in the room, Venable allegedly tried to kiss the victim, who then attempted to leave.The police report stated that Venable grabbed the girl, tossed her on the bed and raped her. She told police she told Venable "no" and to stop, and that she also struggled. Venable allegedly placed his hand over her mouth to prevent her from screaming.The arrest report also stated that the victim pinched Venable "really hard" and was able to scream because he moved his hand from her mouth. At that point Venable allegedly got off her and she ran from the room.In a plea bargain, charges of rape, sexual assault, two counts of aggravated sexual assault, criminal attempt at rape, and one of two indecent assault counts were all dropped.Although 16 at the time of the incident, Venable was charged as an adult.Nanovic accepted the plea but added that the charge falls under the provisions of Megan's Law and ordered Venable to undergo an evaluation by the state sexual assessment board to determine if he is a violent sexual predator. Nanovic also ordered the adult probation office to prepare a presentence investigation report before sentencing.