A Palmerton man admitted to sexual assault counts last week in Carbon County court.

Damion Matthew Mitchell, 24, appeared before President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II to enter guilty pleas to one count each of statutory sexual assault - 4-8 years older, a felony 2; and indecent assault of a person less than 16, a misdemeanor 2. In exchange for the pleas, a felony 1 count of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and a felony 2 count of aggravated indecent assault of a person less than 16 were dropped in a plea deal with the district attorney’s office.

The affidavit of probable cause states that on Nov. 22, 2017, state police at Lehighton received a report of suspected child abuse and neglect from the Carbon County Office of Children and Youth Services. The report identified the victim as a then 15-year-old female. The victim identified Mitchell, who was 20 years old at the time the incidents occurred.

The victim admitted having a relationship with the defendant since July 2017 and knew his age, and he knew her age at time. The victim further told troopers she had consensual sex with Mitchell in excess of 10 times from July 4, 2017, to Sept. 15, 2017.

The defendant was interviewed on Nov. 29, 2017, and confirmed that he had been dating the victim and that they had sexual intercourse in a residence in Lower Towamensing Township, “and may have occurred in additional locations.”

Charges were filed on April 6, 2018. It has taken a long time to reach the court as 19 continuances were filed in the matter.

Nanovic accepted the pleas and ordered a presentence investigation report be prepared by the adult probation office. Also, Mitchell must be evaluated by the state sexual offenders assessment board. Sentencing is scheduled for May 20 at 9 a.m.