The baseball player accused of raping a woman in Whitefish last year pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of felony criminal endangerment during a court appearance on June 3.
Eric Cordova, 28, appeared in Flathead County District Court via web video at a change-of-plea hearing just days before he was set to go to trial on a felony charge of sexual intercourse without consent.
Prior to the hearing, Cordova signed a binding plea agreement. In exchange for his guilty plea to the amended charge of criminal endangerment, Cordova will receive a six-year deferred sentence. His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 11.
Cordova came to Whitefish last year to play baseball for the now-defunct Glacier Outlaws, an upstart team in the Mount Rainier Professional Baseball League.
According to court records, Cordova was at a bar in downtown Whitefish with a friend on the night of May 24 when they met two women. After the bars closed, one of the women invited Cordova’s friend back to her home and all four people left the bar. At the home, the second woman went into her room, shut the door and went to sleep. Court records state that she made it clear she was not interested in Cordova that night.
Later the woman woke up and found that Cordova had gotten into bed with her, according to court documents and testimony. The woman slapped Cordova and began to scream that she was being raped. The two other people were just outside the home and told police officers they heard her scream.
The woman called 911. When Flathead County sheriff’s deputies arrived at the home, Cordova was present, as well the woman and the two others. The woman was taken to the hospital where a forensic exam was administered. Cordova was taken to the Flathead County Detention Center where he allegedly acknowledged that he had gotten into bed with the woman after she went to sleep.
He pleaded not guilty soon after and was later released on bond.