18-year-old convicted of manslaughter pleads guilty in sex assault case

CEDAR RAPIDS - An 18-year-old convicted for his part in the murder of 19-year-old Latasha Roundtree in 2012 was back in court Thursday to plead guilty in a sexual abuse case.

Yasin Muhidin of Cedar Rapids, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of willful injury causing serious injury in Linn County District Court. He admitted during the hearing to assaulting a 14-year-old girl Sept. 13, 2012. He also admitted that he intended to cause serious injury and that the act wasn't justified.

First Assistant Linn County attorney Nick Maybanks told the judge the willful injury defined under law was a disabling mental illness that caused long term psychological trauma to the victim. She is receiving therapy and treatment as a result of the assault.

Sixth Judicial District Senior Judge Thomas Koehler sentenced Muhidin to 10 years, which will run concurrently to the 10 years he is serving in the Roundtree conviction. Koehler said the 10-year sentence for willful injury is usually mandatory, but because Muhidin was a juvenile, 16, at the time of the assault, there likely wouldn't be a mandatory term.

As a special condition and in accordance with the plea agreement, Muhidin must complete sex offender treatment before being released from prison. Koehler also granted a five year no contact order against Muhidin on behalf of the victim.

Muhidin won't have to register as a sex offender or serve a special sentence of parole because he didn't plead to a sex abuse charge.

Muhidin, in waiving his right to a presentencing investigation before sentencing, told the judge he just wanted to get back to his family and get his life back together.

'I'm sorry for everything that has happened over the last two years,” Muhidin said.

Muhidin pleaded guilty in May to involuntary manslaughter and trafficking stolen weapons in the Roundtree fatal shooting Sept. 22, 2012.

Roundtree, 19, was shot while sitting in a car with two friends en route to a party that was also being attended by Muhidin and four others charged in the case. Roundtree wasn't the intended target, but she was the only victim. She died a few hours later from a gunshot wound to the head.

Muhidin admitted during the pleading to aiding and abetting by going armed with intent. He drove the car with guns in the trunk to the party that night.

Muhidin, along with four others pleaded guilty to lesser charges and agreed to testify against Tajh Ross at trial. According to testimony, Ross admitted to firing a .40 caliber handgun at the car, killing Roundtree. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.