ST. LOUIS (KMOX) – A man that prosecutors call a prior and persistent offender has pleaded guilty to a terrifying attack in the Central West End.

Muhammed Watson admits to grabbing a woman’s throat as she walked to get a cup of coffee back in May.

Watson then told her ” don’t say a word”  as he forced the woman to the ground, choking her until she was unconscious.

When she regained consciousness her Iphone and money were missing.  The woman called police from the coffee shop and police found Watson just a few blocks away talking on the woman’s Iphone.

He’ll be sentenced in March.  Prosecutor Jennifer Joyce says her office is asking for 25 years in prison for Watson.