CALDWELL, Idaho — A former Caldwell school bus driver pleaded guilty Thursday to two felony counts of sexual exploitation of a child as part of a plea agreement in Canyon County court.
Jeremy Wakeley entered guilty pleas to two counts involving child exploitative material during a change-of-plea hearing at the Canyon County Courthouse. As part of the agreement, eight other felony charges are expected to be dismissed.
During the hearing, Judge Thomas Whitney asked Wakeley how he pleaded to the charges.
"I plead guilty," Wakeley responded.
The case began in January after investigators with the Idaho Attorney General's Office traced suspected child sexual abuse material to a Caldwell residence.
According to court documents, investigators recovered roughly 2,500 files of suspected child sexual abuse material from electronic devices during a search of the home, including a cellphone and a USB drive connected to a laptop in a bedroom Wakeley identified as his.
WATCH: Wakeley pleads guilty, sentencing set for September
As part of establishing a factual basis for the plea, the judge questioned Wakeley about the material involved in the case.
When asked whether the images depicted children under the age of 18 and whether they were sexual in nature, Wakeley answered yes. He also acknowledged the images included nudity involving minors.
Investigators previously alleged Wakeley used the messaging app Telegram to exchange explicit images involving minors and admitted he knew the activity was illegal.
During Thursday's hearing, attorneys also discussed sentencing recommendations. Prosecutors indicated they intend to seek a 20-year fixed sentence, while the defense remains free to argue for any lawful sentence.
Wakeley could face up to 30 years in prison on each of the two felony counts of sexual exploitation of a child. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.
The court ordered a pre-sentence investigation and a psychosexual evaluation before sentencing.
Wakeley's sentencing hearing is scheduled for Sept. 17 at 8:30 a.m. in Canyon County court.
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