ST JOHNS, Fla. — A former assistant teacher charged with child sexual abuse in St. Johns County is looking to withdraw his guilty plea.
In 2022, Anthony Guadalupe - who was 18 at the time - was arrested after parents said he inappropriately touched their child at the Chappell School. In October 2023, he pleaded guilty to 12 counts of child molestation.
Prosecutors say classroom surveillance footage showed a “brazen” assault on a 4-year-old child. The offenses happened between May 26, 2022 and July 18, 2022.
Sentencing guideline called for 795 months, or 66 years in prison, but because of Guadalupe’s plea, the state has agreed to waive those guidelines.
According to a new court document, Guadalupe's legal team is arguing he did not fully understand the situation when he entered his plea. They have gathered expert testimony claiming he has a learning disability.
The document also says the prosecution's expert agrees with the opinion that "Mr. Guadalupe is 'intellectually disabled.'"
He was set to be sentenced Friday at 9 a.m. Now the judge will have to decide if he will receive his sentence or if his plea will be thrown out.