PROVO — The man accused of attacking a girl just hours after he was mistakenly let out of the Utah County Jail pleaded guilty Tuesday to felony robbery and misdemeanor sex-related and drug charges.
Forrest Barth, 21, was arrested May 9 after he "went to the home of a young woman that he was acquainted with, that he desired to be more acquainted with, in some type of romantic relationship," Deputy Utah County Attorney Randy Kennard said during an entry-of-plea hearing Tuesday in 4th District Court. "He made advances toward her ... and obviously it scared her."
The young girl's screams awoke her brother, who rushed in and held Barth captive until police arrived.
It was the second arrest for Barth in just three days. On May 7, Barth was arrested for investigation of trespassing on the same girl's property.
He was booked into jail and slated to be released. However, a judge thought that comments Barth made in court were strange and ordered that Barth be held for another day so a review could be done.
But in a communication glitch between the court and the jail, Barth was released on bail, making it possible for him to break in to the girl's house days later.
The plea deal reduces more serious charges of attempted rape, aggravated burglary and interfering with an arresting officer to burglary, attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a 16- or 17-year-old and possession of a controlled substance.
The amended charges are a second-degree felony, a class A misdemeanor and class B misdemeanor, respectively.
Barth was under the influence of the drug Ketamine when he broke into the house, Kennard said.
During the hearing, Barth was quiet, except for when he answered the judge with "yes, ma'am."
Kennard told the judge he had spoken with the girl and her mother several times and they were in agreement with the recommendation.
"This was something very traumatic for the victim and the victim's family," Kennard said. "We met numerous times to discuss it."
Kennard said while the family agreed this was a large mistake by Barth, they weren't vindictive and wanted to leave open the possibility for recovery, so Barth could make positive contributions to society later.
The girl and her mother were not in court Tuesday, although they've attended many previous hearings.
Family members of Barth attended the hearing and said they'll continue to support him.
Judge Claudia Laycock agreed to recommend a psychosexual evaluation before Barth is sentenced Oct. 24.
Kennard said the presentence report and the psychosexual evaluation will help show whether this was one isolated incident or an underlying pattern of behavior.
"We'll leave it to the court to determine if he's a candidate for prison or if he should receive some other type of sanction," Kennard said.
With the guilty plea to the sex-related charge, Barth will also have to register as a sex offender, Kennard said.
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