An Albany County man who was scheduled to stand trial this week pleaded guilty to amended felony charges in a plea deal on Friday, April 21.

Kenneth Matthew Lovato, 51, took a plea deal for two felony charges of second-degree sexual abuse of a minor.

Albany County Attorney Peggy Trent said in exchange for the guilty pleas, the state agreed to recommend that the sentences run consecutively and that the second charge's sentence be suspended.

Trent said Lovato faces up to 40 years in prison. Due to his two previous convictions for sexual abuse of a minor, the state had been seeking a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Lovato is awaiting sentencing.

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