The stepfather of a 9-year-old boy, who was allegedly kicked to death by his mother, has pleaded guilty to drug charges.
KOB-TV reports that Stephen Casaus on Monday pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and paraphernalia possession as part of a plea deal. He faces up to nine years in prison.
Casaus is also awaiting trial in the death of his stepson, Omaree Varela. Casaus was charged last year with six counts of child abuse stemming from the boy's death.
Albuquerque police say the boy was kicked to death by his mother, Synthia Varela-Casaus, in December 2013. She has pleaded not guilty to several charges, including child abuse resulting in death.
She goes to trial in October.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.