Travis King’s attorney, Franklin D. Rosenblatt, told the Associated Press that King intends to admit guilt to military offenses, including desertion and assault on an officer. Nine other offenses, including possession of sexual images of a child, would be dropped as part of the agreement.

King will have the opportunity to answer questions about his actions at a hearing on September 20 at Fort Bliss, Texas.

“He wants to take responsibility for his actions,” said Rosenblatt. He did not want to comment on a possible sentence for his client.

Desertion is a serious charge and can result in a prison sentence of up to three years.

The AP reported last month that the two sides were in negotiations over a guilty plea.

King fled South Korea across the heavily fortified border in July 2023 and was the first American to be arrested in North Korea in nearly five years.

His escape to North Korea came shortly after his release from a South Korean prison, where he had served nearly two months for assault.

About a week after his release from prison, military officers took him to the airport so he could return to Fort Bliss to face disciplinary action. He was escorted to customs, but instead of boarding the plane, he took a civilian tour of the Korean border village of Panmunjom. Then he ran across the border, which is lined with guards and often crowded with tourists.

He was held by North Korea, but after about two months Pyongyang abruptly announced his expulsion. On September 28, he was flown back to Texas and has been in custody there ever since.

The U.S. military in October filed a series of charges against King under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, including desertion, kicking and hitting other officers, illegal possession of alcohol, making false statements and possessing a video showing a child engaging in sexual activity. These allegations date back to July 10, the day he was released from prison.