A former LDS Church bishop and physical education teacher admitted Friday he had sex with a 17-year-old North Carolina girl he met in a religion-oriented Internet chat room.
Gordon Brent Bodily, 51, Hyrum, pleaded guilty to enticement for illegal sexual activity. The federal offense is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Sentencing was set for 8:30 a.m. March 29 before U.S. District Court Judge David Winder.
Bodily agreed to get therapy for sex offenders in prison. Prosecutors agreed to ask for minimum sentencing because he accepted responsibility for the affair.
In a signed statement, Bodily said he invited the girl to Salt Lake City June 13. They stayed at Quality Inn in Murray for three days, having sex, he said.
Bodily said he understood he wasn't supposed to have sex with a minor. The girl's name and North Carolina hometown weren't disclosed in court papers.
Bodily appeared Friday before U.S. District Court Judge Samuel Alba, changing his previous innocent plea.
He worked for 14 years at the South Cache Center, teaching mainly physical education classes, until his arrest triggered a suspension, according to the Cache School District.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said Bodily was a bishop when the incident occurred, but he has been excommunicated.
In his statement, Bodily said he struck up correspondence with the girl posing as a 19-year-old LDS man. When the relationship deepened, he told the girl his true identity and age. He said they exchanged photos and had phone conversations.
The girl made travel plans for Salt Lake City and told her parents she wanted to visit colleges and church sites. The girl later told a friend about the rendezvous, and church authorities were notified.
Bodily was investigated by the FBI and indicted by a federal grand jury in Salt Lake City.