A Pella man accused of felony sexual abuse has pled guilty to a lesser charge. A plea agreement was submitted to Marion County District court Thursday for 26-year-old Ashton Myers Messer, who is admitting guilt to assault causing bodily injury or mental illness, a serious misdemeanor. According to court records, Messer received a suspended one year jail term and probation, as well as fines totalling approximately $800. He was originally charged with third degree sexual abuse, a Class C felony, in relation to a reported incident in March of 2023. A victim told police she woke up after a party at Messer’s home naked, and the defendant admitted to having sex with her while she was possibly intoxicated. In the plea agreement, Messer admitted that he “did an act which put [the victim] in fear of immediate physical contact which would have been injurious to her, coupled with the present ability to complete the act.” He agreed that it resulted in mental health counseling for the individual involved.