An Oklahoma man was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to an amended charge in connection with the attack of a woman at a Jefferson City hotel in May 2015.
Austin Zavala, 27, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault. He had been charged with first-degree attempted rape in an assault at the Candlewood Suites, 3514 Amazonas Drive.
Zavala was staying at the hotel and approached the registration counter, when he "jumped over the desk and grabbed the clerk," according to a Jefferson City Police Department.
She screamed at him to stop, "but he forcefully took her to the ground (and) attempted to remove her shirt and pants," police records show.
Police said the woman - who wasn't identified - attempted to resist but couldn't get away from him.
Reports show Zavala covered her mouth as he dragged her across the floor and pinned her with his body. When Zavala allowed the woman to stand up, the front desk phone rang, and a hotel guest asked if she was OK. She asked the caller for help, and Zavala fled.
Zavala's roommate and co-worker identified him and reported their work truck was missing.
Police said it later was found in the 1300 block of Swifts Highway, several miles east of the hotel.
Police also reported three different guests heard the disturbance; two called 911 while the third went to the front desk to help, but Zavala already had left the building.
The victim was treated at St. Mary's Hospital.
Zavala was taken into custody in Kansas, 13 hours after the assault.