Prisoner who escaped Va. hospital takes guilty plea

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) -- A prisoner who briefly escaped from a Virginia hospital has pleaded guilty in connection with the escape and also acknowledged committing a dozen robberies at banks.

Wossen Assaye of Arlington, Virginia, pleaded guilty Thursday to two counts of using a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. Those crimes had to do with armed assaults on two security guards during his March 31 escape from Inova Fairfax Hospital. He evaded authorities for nine hours before being recaptured.

As part of the plea deal, Assaye acknowledged robbing banks in Virginia between 2013 and 2015. He faces a mandatory minimum of 32 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison when he is sentenced Oct. 9.

Assaye's attorney did not immediately return a phone call Thursday requesting comment.

EXCLUSIVE: Woman who called 911 about escaped prisoner talks to FOX 5

TIMELINE: Search for escaped prisoner ends in capture

Metrobus passenger helps nab escaped prisoner

Prisoner in custody after carjackings, escape from Inova Fairfax Hospital