COEUR d'ALENE - A former Idaho State Police trooper pleaded guilty Friday in Kootenai County District Court to four criminal charges as part of a plea-bargain deal with the county prosecutor.

Daniel Howard, who was a trooper for 19 years before his Nov. 14 resignation, faces as long as five years in prison and could be ordered to pay restitution to three parties - including $2,500 to the ISP for possessing more than 17,000 rounds of stolen ammunition. Kootenai County District Court Judge Benjamin Simpson will hand down the sentence during a hearing tentatively set to take place in January.

Five of seven felony charges initially filed against Howard in three criminal cases were dropped in the deal.

Howard, 48, submitted an Alford plea to a misdemeanor petit theft charge stemming from the discovery of the stolen ammunition at his Athol home by Kootenai County Sheriff's Office investigators. The plea means that although Howard maintains his innocence in the matter, the evidence against him might persuade a jury to convict him if the case went to trial.

He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor possession of a white-tailed deer without a tag, which was recovered by investigators along with the ammunition.

Another Alford plea was entered for a felony malicious injury to property charge stemming from an incident in which Howard allegedly harassed his neighbor. The neighbor's property was damaged in the incident and along with jail time, Howard could be ordered to pay an undetermined amount in restitution to the man.

Howard also pleaded guilty to a felony charge for title fraud in connection with his registration of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle in Bonner County. Two other felony charges stemming from that incident were dropped in the deal.

"That charge is true, your honor," Howard answered when asked by Simpson.

Chris Bugbee, Howard's attorney, told Simpson he would be asking for withheld judgment during the sentencing hearing. If the judge approves, Howard would not face incarceration and, upon the successful completion of probation, would have the conviction dismissed.