Plea agreement made in hospital sex attacks

Kim Smith

Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2000 | 10:25 a.m.

A convicted sex offender faces a potential life sentence after pleading guilty but mentally ill Monday in two hospital attacks.

Roy O'Guinn, 39, is accused of fondling a 57-year-old Summerlin Medical Center patient in her room in May 1999 and sexually assaulting a 69-year-old patient in another room.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Doug Herndon said the plea agreement was offered because it is clear that O'Guinn, who was convicted of sex offenses in California in 1980 and in Nevada in 1989, has a history of mental illness. Although O'Guinn will have to serve four concurrent sentences of 10 years to life, by pleading guilty but mentally ill he will be guaranteed mental health assistance, Herndon said.

O'Guinn agreed to plead guilty but mentally ill to two counts of burglary, one count of open and gross lewdness and two counts of sexual assault.

District Judge Jeffrey Sobel will decide if O'Guinn is mentally ill following a hearing on Oct. 23. A sentencing date of Jan. 6 has been scheduled.

O'Guinn still faces two civil trials in connection with the incidents. Both patients filed lawsuits against O'Guinn and the hospital claiming the hospital's negligence led to the assaults.