Guilty plea from man accused of sexual acts with girl

County Attorney Andrew Thomas announced that Andrew Richard Cummings, 59 (DOB 10/9/48), has plead guilty to charges related to the sexual abuse of a minor. Cummings, of Phoenix, was related by marriage to the female victim’s family. Beginning in 2004, the defendant engaged in various sexual acts with the victim, now 12.

Cummings plead guilty on June 13, 2008, to two counts of Molestation of a Child, class two felonies and Dangerous Crimes Against Children in the 1st degree, one count of Attempted Molestation of a Child, a class three felony and DCAC in the 2nd degree, and one count of Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, a class 3 felony and DCAC in the 2nd degree.

Cummings was arrested by Phoenix Police on March 3, 2008. The victim’s mother noticed signs of physical contact after her daughter’s return from a visit with her grandmother. Upon questioning, the victim informed her mother of the sexual nature of the contact with the defendant. The defendant was arrested later that day.

Cummings will be sentenced on July 16, 2008, in the courtroom of Judge Gary Donahoe, where he will face 35 years in prison. Cumming’s wife, Thelma, also plead guilty on June 13, 2008, to a child abuse charge for failing to protect the victim. She will be sentenced the same day and faces a sentence of lifetime probation.

“Under the plea, Cummings would be 94 years old before he gets out of prison,” said Thomas.