An Atlantic man who was set to stand trial next month on domestic assault charges, instead appeared in Cass County District Court Monday (Sept. 23^rd), to enter a plea of guilty. 46-year old Rex Dean McDermott was arrested on October 13^th, 2012, following an incident which allegedly occurred at a feed dealership, in Atlantic.

McDermott plead guilty to a count of Domestic Abuse Assault/Strangulation causing bodily injury.  As part of his plea deal two other charges will be dismissed along with a charge of violating a protective order.  Sentencing has been set for November 12th at 9:00am with a maximum sentence of five years in prison and $7,500 fine.

McDermott had initially plead not guilty to a felony charge of Willful Injury causing bodily injury, and a serious misdemeanor charge of Domestic Abuse Assault causing bodily injury/mental illness. McDermott was released on bond a few days after his arrest, and was ordered to have no contact with his alleged victim.  His trial date was continued several times this year, with the last date set for Oct. 22nd.