A federal judge has rejected a request to withdraw a guilty plea for an eastern Pennsylvania man accused of forcing women and a minor to work in a prostitution ring.
Corderro Cody pleaded guilty in October in federal court to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, among related charges.
The Allentown Morning Call reports that Cody testified on Friday saying he only took a plea deal because his lawyers said he would've faced a life sentence had he been convicted.
An Allentown judge rejected that motion Friday, finding that Cody didn't assert his innocence or establish a fair reason for the withdrawal.
Cody is scheduled to be sentenced next month. Attorneys had agreed on a 30-year term as well as a $3.75 million fine.
Copyright The Associated Press
