15-to-life term given in assault

James Dallas Hill, 22, was originally charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery and aggravated sexual assault, all first-degree felonies, and one class B misdemeanor for damaging/interrupting a communication device.

In an agreement in 5th District Court, Hill pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault in return for state prosecutors dropping the other charges. He received a 15-years-to-life prison sentence earlier this week and must pay a $10,000 fine and restitution, the amount of which has not yet been determined.

According to a probable cause statement, a Cedar City woman noticed Hill following her while she jogged last February. She tried to call 911, but Hill knocked her cell phone from her hand and forced her to the ground by her throat. He pulled out a knife, and she kicked and screamed until she broke free.

She ran and found another jogger to assist her.

Hill has two out-of-state convictions for forcible sexual abuse in 2002 and a Utah conviction for failure to register as a sex offender.

E-mail: lwilde@desnews.com

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