Plea vacates child sexual assault trial

An accused child molester, who was scheduled to go to trial Tuesday, faces up to 40 years in prison after he admitted two counts of attempted sexual assault of a child under the age of 16.

Dylan Kenneth Downs, 30, is accused of molesting an elementary school age girl for two years starting in May 2017.

Each of the B felonies carries a sentence of 2-20 years. Downs may not receive probation unless it is determined he is not a high risk to reoffend.

Under the plea agreement entered on Thursday morning, attorneys will be allowed to argue for any lawful sentence.

Downs has been in Douglas County custody since Aug. 19, 2021, after an investigation into the allegations.

Jurors for the four-day trial scheduled to begin on Tuesday had already been notified. District Judge Tom Gregory vacated the trial.

Downs is expected to remain in custody pending his Dec. 19 sentencing date.

No matter what sentence Downs receives, he will be subject to lifetime supervision as a registered sex offender.