A Ronan man admitted to assaulting two young girls, each under the age of 12. Jarod Matthew Joseph, 25, entered a plea of guilty in District Court in Polson Aug. 13 to two counts of sexual assault and one count of bail jumping.

The plea was entered as part of an agreement that calls for a joint recommendation of 10 years in the Montana State Prison with six years suspended on each of the sexual assault charges and an additional four years, all suspended, on the bail jumping charge. The sentences will run consecutively to each other for a total of 24 years in the Montana State Prison system with 16 years suspended. The judge is not bound by the agreement.

According to court records, the mother of the two girls reported that she suspected Joseph had assaulted the girls in April 2020. When interviewed by a detective with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Joseph admitted to the act.

Joseph then failed to appear in court Feb. 21, 2021, on the related charges.

Judge Molly Owen set sentencing for Nov. 5. Joseph remains in custody with bail totaling $75,000.