Lawrence man admits to raping girl

SALEM, Mass. (AP) - A Lawrence man has pleaded guilty to repeatedly raping a young girl and will likely be deported once he has finished his prison term.

Ariel Mendez pleaded guilty to raping the girl at different times from January 2004 to January 2007 when the child was 6 to 9 years old. Prosecutors say the 48-year-old Mendez lived with the girl's mother.

He was sentenced to three years in state prison, but was given credit for more the more than two years he has spent in jail awaiting trial.

The Eagle-Tribune reports he has about six months left to serve, after which he will be deported to his native Dominican Republic.

His lawyer asked that he spend the remainder of his sentence in the county jail to continue treatment for diabetes.