An Albert Lea man charged with sexual abuse of a 4-year-old in July pleaded guilty Thursday in Freeborn County District Court.

Lee Vincent Wells, 35, pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Wells was arrested after the Albert Lea Police Department was dispatched July 10 to an address in Albert Lea on the report of a sexual assault involving the 4-year-old.

Court documents state that upon officers arriving, Wells said “I am a bad person. I did it.”

Wells was then arrested and transported to Freeborn County Law Enforcement Center.

Court documents state that Wells told an Albert Lea Police Department detective several times that “he had done a bad thing and deserved to be punished.”

Wells was known to the victim.

If Wells has no criminal history score, he faces a presumptive 12-year prison sentence, Assistant Freeborn County Attorney Paige Starkey said. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 30.

Wells was originally charged with second-degree criminal sexual conduct, but that charge was amended to a first-degree count.