LANSING, MI - A Sturgis man pleaded no contest in court Monday to to charges related to the murder of his girlfriend and sexual assault of his cellmate in jail.

Wade Allen, age 39 of Sturgis, was arrested on May 22, 2019, after police received a tip about the murder and dismemberment of Allen’s girlfriend. Officers report Allen’s girlfriend’s remains were found being stored in two coolers.

While in jail, Allen told cellmates he strangled his girlfriend to death. After learning his cellmate shared information about the crime, Allen sexually assaulted the inmate.

Allen pleaded to second-degree felony homicide, punishable by a possible life sentence; attempted dismemberment and mutilation, a felony, punishable by up to 5 years; and attempted criminal sexual conduct by force/coercion, a felony, punishable by up to 5 years.

Allen will be sentenced on March 3.