MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa — A plea deal appears to have been reached in the case for a former Marshalltown substitute teacher accused of sexually exploiting a student.

On April 16, the Marshalltown Police Department said it received a tip reporting that a then part-time substitute teacher at the Marshalltown High School had allegedly had inappropriate contact with a student. A few weeks later, police said the substitute, identified as 63-year-old Daniel Terrones, turned himself in.

According to a criminal complaint, Terrones was accused of consistently sending text messages and often hugging a student. The complaint goes on to say that at one-point Terrones allegedly kissed the victim on the cheek.

Terrones was charged with one count of sexual exploitation by a school employee, a Class D felony, and initially pled not guilty to the charge.

Court records show that last week a plea agreement had been reached between the prosecution and Terrones’ defense team. The plea agreement allows Terrones to plead guilty to a lesser charge of assault, a simple misdemeanor, and pay a fine of $105 plus a 15% criminal surcharge, pay court costs and attorney fees, and would extend the no contact order to five years once sentenced.

On Tuesday, Terrones filed a Consent to Finding of Guilt, essentially agreeing to the court to find him guilty of the assault charge, as well as the fines and extended no contact order. Terrones also states in the filing that “no sexual conduct occurred or is admitted to.”

A plea hearing where Terrones would formally accept the plea agreement has been scheduled for July 25.

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