LUCEDALE, Miss. (AP) — A 24-year-old Lucedale transgender man has pleaded guilty to sex crimes against a transgender minor.

Krishna “Kris” Maroney pleaded guilty Monday to six counts of sexual battery and one count of touching of a child for lustful purposes.

Four of the sexual battery charges and the one touching charge are for crimes committed against the minor in George County and two sexual battery charges are for crimes committed against the same victim in Jackson County

Judge Dale Harkey deferred sentencing until Sept. 2 while a pre-sentence investigative report is prepared. Maroney remains free on bond pending sentencing.

Sexual battery carries a maximum sentence of 20 years and a charge of touching of a child for lustful purposes is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

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