Guzman pleads guilty to rape

Four charges dimissed

EPHRATA - A Warden man charged in the alleged kidnapping, physical assault, rape and attempted murder of his mother in 2006 changed his plea this week before the case went to trial.

Gilberto Guzman, 31, of Warden, pled guilty to rape late Tuesday afternoon after originally pleading not guilty by reason of insanity last year to all charges in the case.

He was arrested for allegedly kidnapping, beating and raping his mother, Delfina Moreno, then 50, of Warden.

The new development emerged after his public defense attorneys and the Grant County Prosecutor's Office came to an agreement about the case.

All other counts against Guzman were dismissed, which also included assault and harassment, court documents state. His sentencing is May 27.

Grant County Deputy Prosecutor Steve Scott recommended Guzman serve between almost 11 to 14 years in prison to a maximum term of life in prison and have a lifetime community custody requirement, according to court documents.

Scott also said Guzman should not be allowed contact with his mother as stated in a no-contact order, court documents indicate.

Guzman didn't speak in court, but agreed in court documents that police reports and/or a probable cause statement could be use to establish a factual basis for the plea.

On Friday, Judge Kenneth Jorgensen denied Guzman's motion of acquittal during his three-day insanity hearing where mental health experts and Guzman's family testified about the case.

Jorgensen ruled that Guzman didn't meet the state's legal test for insanity.