Man pleads guilty to raping boy

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (AP) - A convicted sex offender has pleaded guilty to raping a 6-year-old boy at the New Bedford Public Library a year ago.

Corey Deen Saunders entered the plea Monday to charges that include of rape of a child, indecent assault and battery, enticing a child and threats to commit a crime. Saunders was arrested Jan. 30, 2008, after he was accused of luring the boy to the magazine stacks while the child's mother worked on a computer just a few feet away.

Bristol County District Attorney Sam Sutter asked Superior Court Judge Robert Kane to sentence the Saunders to life in prison, citing the age of the victim and the fact that the 27-year-old had already been convicted for the 2000 attempted rape of a 7-year-old boy.

Saunders' defense attorney recommended a shorter sentence.

The judge did not immediately set a sentencing date.

Saunders' attorney, Alan Zwirblis, did not immediately return a message left later Monday.