Cox pleads guilty to sexual abuse

The former principal of Snake River Junior High School pleaded guilty to one of three counts of sexual abuse of a minor child under 16 Thursday.

Christopher Cox, 39, admitted in court to “having touched the young lady’s breasts.”

The prosecution has said the encounters occurred on school property and at her home.

Cox pleaded guilty to the one count as part of a nonbinding plea agreement.

Judge Greg Moeller said since Cox had just pleaded guilty to a serious felony, the former educator couldn’t expect to simply walk out of the courtroom.

Cox’s attorney, Justin Oleson, opposed remanding his client into custody, saying Cox was in the middle of a construction project he was working on with his son at home, and asked for leniency so he could complete the project.

Moeller denied the request, and indicated there was high likelihood of a prison term, which led to the decision to put Cox in jail.

The state will only argue for prison time, but not for a specific term. The maximum sentence is 25 years.

Cox is scheduled to be scheduled Aug. 27.