Robber Of Casper Jogger Pleads Guilty, Faces 8-10 Years Behind Bars

A man pleaded guilty Wednesday to robbing a woman under a bridge in May.

Jesus Rodriguez admitted his crime during a change of plea hearing before Natrona County District Court Judge Catherine Wilking.

Rodriguez, who was 31 at the time of his arrest, was initially charged with aggravated robbery, meaning during the attempted theft he either inflicted bodily injury on someone, or someone believe they were in fear of imminent injury.

A motion was made to reduce the charge to simple robbery, Wilking said.

In exchange for the plea, Rodriguez will spend eight to 10 years behind bars.

Sentencing will be scheduled for a later date. Wilking said the plea agreement is between Rodriguez's attorney and the prosecutor, and she does not have to accept it at sentencing.

Court records say about 8 p.m. Sunday, May 29th, officers went to First and Poplar streets to meet the victim, who said she had been attacked on the bike trail under the bridge.

She said she was running westbound when she felt someone grab her from behind and throw her to the ground.

Her attacker grabbed her running belt, but wasn't successful and she escaped.

Rodriguez told police he went jogging, and was jumped by two men because of his affiliation with a gang. A portable breath test showed that he had a blood alcohol concentration of .212.