Randy James Hirst, 57, of Rathdrum pleaded guilty Wednesday to possession of sexually explicit images of minors, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced.

Hirst was indicted by a federal grand jury in Coeur d'Alene on Oct. 21. According to the plea agreement, Hirst downloaded sexually explicit images of minors from the Internet in 2013. These images were found in a warranted July 2013 search of his Rathdrum residence.

A forensic review of seized items found 300 photos, and nine videos, of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct including images of prepubescent minors. The forensic review also revealed that Hirst had used computer search terms consistent with a person trying to obtain child pornography. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children determined that Hirst's collection included images of minors from multiple states, including Idaho and Washington, and from several foreign countries.

The charge of possession of sexually explicit images of minors is punishable by as long as 10 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and lifetime supervised release.

Sentencing is set for May 5 before Chief United States District Judge B. Lynn Winmill at the federal courthouse in Coeur d'Alene.

The case was investigated through the collaborative effort of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and United States Secret Service, in cooperation with the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, a coalition of state and local agencies, www.icacidaho.org

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, www.usdoj.gov/psc, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.