A 19-year-old Des Moines man confessed to shooting his girlfriend's sister with an AR-15-style rifle to scare her, according to the Polk County Attorney's Office.

Demonie Catrell Smith was sentenced Friday, Nov. 14 to up to 35 years in prison. Smith pleaded guilty to going armed with intent, willful injury causing serious injury, assault while participating in a felony and intimidation with a dangerous weapon with intent to injure or provoke fear.

The original charge of attempted murder was dropped as part of the plea agreement, according to a news release from the Polk County Attorney’s Office.

As part of his sentence, Smith will serve a mandatory five years in prison because he used a dangerous weapon.

On March 10, prosecutors said Smith was arguing with his girlfriend near Boston Av

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