Wyoming man pleads no contest to assault, abuse of two disabled people

From Trib.com in Wyoming:

A Casper man pleaded no contest Jan. 4 to two charges stemming from allegations that he punched a wheelchair-bound disabled man and committed sexual battery against a disabled woman.

Jason William Covington entered his pleas in Natrona County District Court during a 15-minute hearing before Judge David Park. The 26-year-old pleaded no contest to one count of abusing a vulnerable adult and one count of sexual battery.

Under the terms of a plea agreement, prosecutors dropped an additional sexual battery charge against Covington.

The abuse charge is a felony carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years behind bars, while sexual battery is a misdemeanor with a penalty of up to one year in jail.

According to an affidavit from the case, a disabled woman doing volunteer work at Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen in Casper told her case manager Covington "touched her where she didn't want to be touched" last August.

Police say Covington, who was the cook at the kitchen, eventually admitted to touching the disabled woman's genitals through her clothing and to trying to get her to touch his penis.

"Covington stated he knew (the woman) did not want him to touch her and that she was a disabled adult," the affidavit states.

The Star-Tribune does not identify victims of sex crimes.

While being interviewed about that case, Covington said he had been accused of punching a NOWCAP Services client in Aug. 2008. Covington was working at the facility as a resident assistant at the time, according to the affidavit.

NOWCAP Services provides support for people with developmental disabilities.

Covington admitted "he had grown angry and frustrated with the situation and had punched (the man) who was in a wheelchair with his closed fist," according to the affidavit.

He also told police he had "threatened and scared" the man with a water gun in the past.

The affidavit says the wheelchair-bound man Covington punched is "profoundly disabled and is unable to communicate fully and communicates through gestures."

Covington remains free on bond awaiting sentencing.