A man convicted in 2011 of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl when he was 45 has now pleaded guilty to a drunken driving charge and violating his sentence in the assault case.

During a hearing Thursday in Flathead District Court, James Edward “Ed” Whitaker, now 50, pleaded guilty to his fourth offense of drunken driving, a felony, and to violating his prior sentence.

A Flathead County Sheriff’s deputy witnessed Whitaker buy two six-packs of beer at a Columbia Falls gas station and noted Whitaker’s eyes were bloodshot, his speech slurred and that he smelled strongly of alcohol.

When Whitaker got in a vehicle and prepared to leave, the deputy approached him.

Whitaker admitted having been drinking since earlier that morning and subsequently failed field sobriety and breath alcohol tests.

His prior convictions for drunken driving came in July 2003, June 2007 and February 2011.

Whitaker also admitted violating the 10-year suspended sentence handed down by District Judge Stewart Stadler in 2011 by possessing alcohol, drinking alcohol and being convicted of drunken driving.

A sentencing hearing has been set for June 13.

Reporter Jesse Davis may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at [email protected].