COEUR d'ALENE - A Kootenai County courtroom bailiff pleaded guilty Monday to felony sexual abuse of a 14-year-old girl, while four other related charges were dismissed.

Jack D. McPike, 31, appeared before 1st District Court Judge John T. Mitchell for arraignment, when his defense attorney Anne Taylor announced he would be pleading guilty.

McPike, of Athol, lost his job as a bailiff when he was arrested May 17. He admitted to the sexual abuse of a family member that had been alleged from April and May of this year.

McPike was charged with one count of sex crimes against nature, two counts of lewd conduct with a child under 16, and two counts of sexual abuse of a child under 16.

The Bonner County prosecutor's office is handling the case because of McPike's previous employment with Kootenai County.

The details of the plea deal had been announced a month ago, but had not been sworn to by McPike until Monday.

Mitchell said McPike would likely be sentenced in the next couple months by 2nd District Court Judge Jeff Brudie.

The charge of sexual abuse of a child is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

As part of the plea deal, however, Brudie is bound to try retained jurisdiction first before imposing prison time.

If Brudie is not comfortable with retained jurisdiction, McPike could be allowed to back out of his plea deal and the case would proceed toward trial on all five original charges.

Mitchell released McPike from the Kootenai County jail, but he can have no contact with the victim and will be living under house arrest in Rathdrum.

He will be allowed to go to work driving a water truck, but must remain at the Rathdrum residence from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. each day.

McPike has no prior criminal history, and spent six years in the U.S. Navy.

An evaluation of McPike said he is a low risk to re-offend.

Taylor said McPike's military record and past clean criminal record made him a good candidate for release prior to sentencing.