Two men who ignited an explosive device that severely injured the hand of an 11-year-old girl on New Year's Eve 2005 pleaded guilty this morning to criminal charges and face punishments ranging from probation to 11 years in prison.

"The idiot factor is high in this case," said Deputy Prosecutor Franklin Pacarro Jr.

Joelson Ea, 37, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault, reckless endangering and criminal property damage. Marc Bantolina, 40, pleaded no contest to a single charge of reckless endangerment.

They will be sentenced Nov. 19 and Pacarro said the victim, Cydnee Somera, and her family members will be there to testify about the pain and suffering she suffered as a result of the incident.

Somera was struck by metal shrapnel following the explosion of a balloon filled with acetylene gas on a residential street in 'Aiea.

The young girl "underwent numerous surgeries" to repair broken bones and a severed artery in her hand, Pacarro said.