Iowa man accused of killing stepson accepts plea deal

DES MOINES, Iowa — An Iowa man accused of killing his stepson in 2017 by pouring gasoline on him and igniting it changed his plea Friday, KCCI reported.

Randy Dean Miles Jr., 42, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and fleeing the state to avoid prosecution in the Aug. 25, 2017, death of Christopher Lenhart, 26, the Des Moines Register reported.

Miles previously faced first-degree murder and first-degree arson charges, KCCI reported.

Friday, Miles admitted to fleeing to North Dakota, the television station reported.
"After the incident, I found out that Tyler was injured, and I found out that police officers were looking for me, and I wanted to avoid talking to them and getting in trouble," Miles said in court.

Miles will be sentenced later this month, the Register reported. He could receive up to 30 years in prison and would be ineligible for parole for 15 years, according to Assistant Polk County Attorney Justin Allen.

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