The second man involved in a sexual assault case in Palmerton entered a guilty plea in Carbon County court on Tuesday afternoon to a lesser charge.

Rafael Alberto Escobar Garcia, 30, of Palmerton, pleaded to one count of indecent assault, as a misdemeanor two, for an incident on Dec. 17, 2016, in an apartment along Delaware Avenue in Palmerton and involving a then 18-year-old female as the victim.Escobar-Garcia and Jose Antonio Corripio-Martinez of Jim Thorpe were originally charged with two felonies, sexual assault and aggravated indecent assault; and the misdemeanor indecent assault.Corripio-Martinez previously pleaded to the same charge and is awaiting sentencing.Before accepting the plea, President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II told the defendant that his plea will have probably have an impact on pending immigration matters. Both men have had detainers filed against them by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office with the intent to deport them.According to Palmerton police Detective Kevin Buck on the morning of Feb. 16, the victim came to the police department to report that she had been sexually assaulted at a party in mid-December. The victim said that she brought food to the party, had a few drinks, and told Corripio-Martinez and Escobar-Garcia that she did not feel well.She said that she went to sleep but was awakened by the defendants groping her. Both defendants allegedly proceeded to sexually assault the victim despite her telling them to stop.Corripio-Martinez and Escobar-Garcia were interviewed by Buck, as well as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation officer Ana Sanchez on Feb. 22. The defendants reported that any sexual acts were consensual. Escobar-Garcia said that he could not recall all of the details of the evening due to being highly intoxicated. Corripio-Martinez said that the victim had told him earlier on during the party that she was "OK with everything."On Tuesday Escobar-Garcia admitted the he "inappropriately touched" the victim.Corripio-Martinez entered his plea on July 18. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 24.Because the charge falls under the provisions of Megan's Law, Nanovic deferred sentencing and ordered the state sexual offenders assessment board to conduct an evaluation to determine if Escobar-Garcia is a violent sexual predator. If it is determined that he is, then he must register for life as a sexual offender. If not, the registration period is 15 years.Nanovic also ordered the adult probation office prepare a presentence investigation report.