Golden Valley man accepts plea agreement

KINGMAN ­ Danuiel D. Ellinger Jr., 36, of Golden Valley pleaded guilty Friday to one count of attempted sexual conduct with a minor, a Class 3 felony deemed a dangerous crime against children in a plea agreement with the Mohave County Attorney's Office. Ellinger will serve no more jail time as a condition of his plea agreement.

The charges of molestation of a child and sexual abuse were both dismissed.

Ellinger was arrested July 9 on three counts of molestation of a child and three counts sexual conduct with a minor after allegations were made by a 15-year-old that Ellinger had been sexually molesting her for the past seven years.

The grand jury reduced the charges to three.

The girl's mother had entered a "refusal to prosecute" letter with the court last month.

According to her statement, the alleged victim made false accusations while "completely intoxicated." According to a statement given by defense attorney Darcy Downs-Vollbract, Ellinger and his wife contend that the statements were made in a fit of anger and retaliation when her cell phone was taken away.

Judgment and sentencing was scheduled at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 20 before Superior Court Judge Steven F. Conn. Ellinger can be sentenced to probation for anywhere from five years to life.